What is the Science?
The New coronavirus ( Covid-19 ), emerged in Wuhan, China, in late 2019. The CDC has declared Covid-19 a global pandemic. The question on the minds of all businesses is how to provide a safe environment amid growing cases and concern.
As a Janitorial Services Company, your clients lean on your expertise and knowledge to keep them informed and safe.
A recent study through the New England Journal of Medicine, analyzed the aerosol and surface stability of Covid-19 and compared it with SARS-CoV-1, the most closely related human coronavirus.
What is the difference?
The studies evaluating the stability of Covid-19 and the previous Corona Virus strain in aerosols, plastic, stainless steel, copper, and cardboard, exposed a key difference. The surface exposure for Covid-19 was similar to that of SARS-CoV-1 but with a key difference.
Plastic and Stainless steel a viable virus was detected up to 72 hours after application to these surfaces. Copper, no viable Covid-19 was measured after 4 hours. Paper and Cardboard, Covid-19 was measured viable after 24 hours.
The big difference in these two viruses was in paper and Cardboard. The CoV-2 Virus can withstand three times the life on paper and cardboard vs. CoV-1.
Because the Covid-19 is stable on plastic and metal surfaces for days, the potential for exposure is HIGH! Businesses will be looking for prevention methods and seeking simple and powerful ways to prevent the spread. The CEO of a medical Janitorial Company shared with us some Best Practices for Dealing with Outbreak.
Risk is increased as a sustained viable transmission on both surface and aerial exposure can happen when there are no reported symptoms.
What to consider.
If current or new potential clients call to discuss options with you on how to deal with the outbreak, here are some helpful resources.
- – The CDC list of Products to sanitize surfaces with CoV-19.
- A check list issued by the CDC to share with your employees and clients.
- Establish a SOP ( Standard of Procedure ) in place to deal with a client that tells you they might have exposure in their facility.
- Implement a better tracking system with your crew to have greater insight with your team and work.
- Maintain a policy with your team if they have symptoms to remove themselves from service for quarantine and monitoring.
Better oversight and strong awareness with your team will give you the ability to evolve and grow your services during this period of outbreak and uncertainty.
Written by Jacob Frederick
