COVID-19

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coronavirus (Covid-19)

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What is COVID-19? Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus.

Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.

The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is be well informed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes and how it spreads. Protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands or using an alcohol based rub frequently and not touching your face.

The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it’s important that you also practice respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow).

► See how COVID-19 affects the cleaning of buildings

How to Prevent Germs Spreading

Germs can be spread from person to person or by touching unclean equipment or surfaces.

To stop the spread of germs, focus your efforts on cleaning areas in the houses and offices where germs are more likely to spread, such as the kitchen and toilet.

Use either soap and hot water to rinse the germs away, or a disinfectant to kill them.

Make sure you dry surfaces such as worktops and chopping boards thoroughly after cleaning. Dampness helps any remaining germs to survive and, if there’s enough water, multiply.

You should clean germ hotspots on a regular basis after use, rather than the customary once-a-week deep clean.

Cleaning aids, such as cloths or mops, must be germ-free or they’ll spread germs to other surfaces.

Here are some general cleaning tips to help prevent the spread of germs in your home and office:

Cloths and sponges

use disposable cloths or paper towels when possible
reusable cloths should be disinfected or washed at 60C (140F) after each use

Washing-up brushes

wash brushes in a dishwasher regularly or clean with detergent and warm water after each use

Mops and buckets

use two buckets for mopping – one for detergent and the other for rinsing
mops and buckets should be cleaned and dried after each use

Toilets

keep the U-bend and toilet bowl clean by flushing after each use
use a toilet cleaner and brush every few days
limescale should be regularly removed using a descaling product
keep the toilet seat, handle and rim clean by using a disinfectant

Baths and sinks

clean baths and sinks frequently, if they’re used regularly
use disinfectant if they’ve been used by someone who’s ill

Showers

clean shower trays frequently, if used regularly
if a shower hasn’t been used for a while, let it run with hot water before using it

Tiles and shower curtains

keep tiles and grout in good condition
clean shower curtains frequently

Kitchen

ensure food-preparation surfaces are clean before use
use separate chopping boards for uncooked food – such as raw meat – and food that doesn’t need cooking, like salad leaves
wash and dry your hands after handling foods such as raw meat
clean surfaces immediately after use

Floors

clean floors regularly with warm water and detergent to remove visible dirt
if soiled with vomit, urine or poo, the floor should be cleaned using a disposable cloth and warm water, then disinfected – make sure the floor is dry before allowing children on it

Carpet and soft furnishings

steam cleaning is effective against germs on carpets and furnishings
curtains can be cleaned by laundering or disinfected by steam cleaning

Pets and other animals

keep pet food separate from human food
always wash your hands after touching animals and their food, toys, cages and litter trays
dishes, utensils and tin openers used for pet food should be stored separately

Toys

clean hard or plastic toys by washing them and putting them away once they’re clean and dry
some soft toys can be cleaned in the washing machine

Laundry

wash your hands after handling dirty laundry
all underwear, towels and household linen should be washed at 60C (140F) or at 40C (104F) with a bleach-based laundry product to prevent germs from spreading
don’t leave laundry in the washing machine – any remaining germs can multiply rapidly

Waste disposal

foot-operated bins are more hygienic because they reduce the risk of getting germs onto your hands from touching the bin lid
always wash your hands after handling waste material
throw rubbish away carefully to avoid attracting vermin and insects

Information source: NHS