Objective To understand the contamination status of novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2, 2019-nCoV) in wards of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods Smear sampling was performed on object surface of COVID-19 patients' wards, surface of patients' hands and outer surface of nurses' gloves, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was conducted to test SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid of swab specimens. Results Among 47 specimens, 1 was positive for SARS-CoV-2, positive rate was 2.13%. Positive specimen was smearing swab of the inner surface of warm shirt cuff of a patient with positive result of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid test on the day of sampling, warm shirt has not been changed since patient was admitted to hospital; SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid test of smearing swabs of high-frequency touched object surfaces of patients' wards, such as door handle, bed rails, bedside table, electrocardiogram monitor, infusion pump and so on, as well as surface of patients' hands and outer surface of nurses' gloves before disinfection were all negative. Conclusion Contamination degree of SARS-CoV-2 in wards of COVID-19 patients is relatively low, which is related to the daily cleaning and disinfection of object surface and emphasis on hand hygiene. Patients' clothes should be changed after admission, regularly during hospital stay, and at any time in case of contamination.