Successful disinfection and decontamination of a building that has had a recent outbreak of coronavirus, or any virus, requires a thorough understanding of that virus. The newest species of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is still being researched for its means of transmission and best disinfecting and decontamination procedures. Understanding COVID-19 allows us to create better coronavirus disinfection and decontamination protocols, use better chemicals and better understand the needs for quarantine, which ultimately allows for more successful decontamination and preventing contamination in the first place.
Poor hand hygiene is a particular problem because people frequently cough and sneeze into their hands or touch their mouth or nose, providing a ready means to spread the coronavirus to everything they touch. The virus can be transferred to other people when they touch a contaminated surface and become infected when they touch their mouth, nose or eyes.
In hospitals, schools, social care, offices, retail outlets, hotels, and public transport, there are many key touchpoints that people commonly share, including:
There’s also a risk of contamination from bodily fluids and toilet sneeze.
Studies in offices have shown that germs can spread from an infected person to the entire office in 2–4 hours via contaminated touchpoints. They all need regular cleaning and disinfecting with approved products to ensure protection from infection.
