CMM Weekly Recap-March 13, 2020

You can’t escape coronavirus in the news, especially as the World Health Organization (WHO) just declared COVID-19 a pandemic. However, there is no need to panic or to hoard toilet paper and hand sanitizer, especially in New York, where the state is producing its own hand sanitizer. 

A rational move would be to arm yourself with knowledge on how to disinfect your workplace and your home. This week the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published guidance to help companies address potential health risks from the novel coronavirus in their workplaces. “Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19,” developed in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), provides practical guidance for preventing the spread of COVID-19 and contains information on safe work practices and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

Another practical move is to follow best practices for cleaning and disinfecting if you service a health care facility, as evidenced by a new study published in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology. Even though a hospital in Hong Kong tested 1,275 suspected COVID-19 cases and treated 42 active cases, none of the hospital workers contracted the virus and no hospital-acquired cases were identified. Researchers credited vigilance in hand-hygiene, the wearing of surgical masks in the hospital, and appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) as key in preventing hospital transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

If you’re traveling, you may take comfort in the knowledge that airlines are taking disinfection very seriously and are enhancing their aircraft cleaning procedures to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19. Some of these protocols include includes a thorough wipe down of all hard surfaces touched by customers and employees—including lavatories, galleys, tray tables, window shades, and armrests. Airlines are using electrostatic foggers to disinfect the air and surfaces within the cabin on all international arrivals. Planes that transported an employee or customer who is potentially exhibiting coronavirus symptoms will be taken out of service and sent through a full decontamination process that includes our standard cleaning procedures plus washing ceilings and overhead bins and scrubbing the interior.

That’s out recap for the week. Don’t let the fact that it’s Friday the 13th scare you and have a good weekend.