Environmental contamination from a baby with COVID-19

By Kelly Young

Edited by André Sofair, MD, MPH, and William E. Chavey, MD, MS

A generally healthy infant with COVID-19 can still contaminate its surroundings, according to a research letter in the Annals of Internal Medicine. A 6-month-old infant tested positive for COVID-19 with a high viral load but no respiratory symptoms. The personal protective equipment (PPE) of the healthcare worker who cared for the infant tested negative for SARS-CoV-2, but the infant’s bedding, bed rail, and a table located 1 meter away from the bed all tested positive. The authors say the environment could have been contaminated through crying or drooling. In addition, they note that the surface farthest from the infant — the table — had a high reading, and they speculate that there may have been indirect contamination from baby wipes, formula, and other items that were put on it

Annals of Internal Medicine research letter (Free)