According to the WHO, 82,539 cases and 2,812 deaths due to COVID-19 have been recorded. While around the world, these cases have been
linked back to the original source of Wuhan, China, this week, the CDC confirmed the first U.S. COVID-19 case of unknown origin. The patient appears
to have contracted the virus without visiting a foreign country recently or
coming into contact with an infected patient meaning this is an instance of
community spread of COVID-19 in the United States. That said, it is possible that the patient was
exposed to a returned traveler who was infected without realizing it.
The outbreak is not going to stop any time soon and with the
ever-increasing number of cases around the world, we need to be taking every
measure possible to limit the spread.
Certainly, hand hygiene and quarantining of suspected and confirmed
cases is a way to help slow the spread especially within the community, but
focusing cleaning and disinfection are key aspects that cannot be forgotten –
just ask those responsible for the Diamond Princess.
Princess Cruises has put out a global search for a service provider with advanced,
scientifically proven cleaning and disinfection capabilities to perform work
onboard the Diamond Princess. They are looking to hire a vendor that has
experience in significant cleaning and disinfection projects and experience in
the use of the disinfectant agent manufactured by Virox®, which is well-known
to be an effective disinfectant. According to the RFP, companies who wish to
submit a proposal should be prepared to comply with detailed standards set
forth by experts in health protocols and administration such as the Japanese
Ministry of Health, the U.S. Center for Disease Control and the World Health
Organization, in addition to the operational standards established by Princess
Cruises.
This is not the
first time that Virox’s patented Accelerated Hydrogen Peroxide® (AHP®) has been
used against Coronavirus. In 2003,
during the SARS outbreak, AHP® became the recommended disinfectant of choice,
resulting in the distribution of a Training Bulletin disseminated by the
Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care mandating the use of AHP® by all
EMAs and Paramedics. While the original
Training Bulletin referenced the use of AHP® for emergency vehicles, AHP®
became the only disinfectant used by healthcare providers across Canada.
Coronaviruses are known to be able
to persist on environmental surfaces for up to nine days. In a recently published
study, AHP® was included among the disinfectants that have been shown to
have proven efficacy against various strains of Coronavirus. When it comes to managing the transmission of
Coronavirus, thoroughly cleaning environmental surfaces with a safe and
effective disinfectant that carries a short contact time, like AHP®, will
support in ensuring healthcare facilities, offices, schools, cruise ships and
transportation vehicles (planes, trains and automobiles) have a cleaning and
disinfection program that will support their infection prevention needs.
Infection prevention requires a
daily focus. In this time of heightened
concerned and continued expansion of COVID-19, I hope you’ll add cleaning and
disinfection to your daily routine!
Bugging Off!
Nicole
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