Background Intensive care unit workers are at high risk of acquiring COVID-19 infection, specially when performing invasive techniques and certain procedures that generate aerosols (Results A total of 102 samples (72 collected with pre-moistened swabs used for collection of nasopharyngeal exudates and 30 with moistened wipes used in the environmental microbiological control of the food industry) were obtained from ventilators, monitors, perfusion pumps, bed rails, lab benches, containers of personal protective equipment, computer keyboards and mice, telephones, workers' shoes, floor and other areas of close contact with COVID-19 patients and healthcare professionals who cared for them. The analysis by quantitative RT-PCR showed no detection of SARS-CoV-2 genome in environmental samples collected by any of the two methods described.Conclusions Presence of SARS-CoV-2 on the ICU surfaces could not be determined supporting that personal protection, decontamination procedures and negative pressure settings are effective in preventing environmental contamination and protecting the staff and patients inside intensive care units.