Scientists fear coronavirus may be more contagious than they previously thought after traces of the killer virus were found in a hospital air duct.

Experts at the National Center for Infectious Disease in Singapore analyzed swab of rooms used by three coronavirus patients. Results suggest the respiratory disease spreads easier than initially believed.

The air duct connected to one of the patients’ room was found with traces of coronavirus, and this “suggests small, virus-laden droplets may be displaced by airflows and deposited on equipment such as vents.”

Published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the research comes after 142 Britons got trapped on a Princess Cruise ship off the coast of California.

Ever since voyages became interrupted by coronavirus scares, health authorities became wary of cruise ships.

In one serious case, more than 700 people tested positive on board the Diamond Princess in Japan. Authorities in the country said a British tourist had passed away after contracting the killer virus.

It is standard practice for cruise ships and buildings to use recycled air through air-conditioning units.

In an interview with the Telegraph, Professor James G. Dwyer of Purdue University said: “The problem is that these systems can’t filter out particles smaller than 5,000 nanometers.”

The exact size of coronavirus is still unknown but SARS, a similar respiratory disease, was recorded at only 120 nanometers.

According to Professor Dwyer, “the air conditioning system would be carrying the virus to every cabin” if the current COVID-19 has the same size as SARS.

“Cruise ships could minimise this problem by just using outside air and not recirculating it,” he added.

One internet user commented: “I have always thought air conditioning in hospitals spread disease, i believe in windows that open to let fresh air in, like the old hospitals had! Far more healthy!”

Another expressed: “….and THAT is why quarantining people on a cruise ship with very efficient ventilation systems is just plain stupid!”

A third added: “What the hell!!! Those on the Diamond Princess, when they were confined to their cabins. My first thought, what about the air conditioning, it’s not rocket science to know that anything can spread that way.”

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