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Statistics show: the risk of catching the coronavirus from surfaces is low

 

When the coronavirus began spreading around the world, people started to disinfect surfaces and wash their hands more often. During the early days of the pandemic, headlines told us the virus could survive even for days on surfaces and therefore surfaces could be potential sources of infection. Also, health institutions were recommending people to disinfect surfaces to prevent virus transmission. However, it turned out that the risk of contracting the virus from touching a contaminated surface is close to non-existent.

 

Surfaces play a minor role as a source of coronavirus infection

 

Over the last year, scientists have been convinced that the coronavirus spreads primarily through the air - in both large and small droplets.1) The C.D.C. has previously also announced what scientists have been saying for months: the risk of catching the coronavirus from surfaces is low.

 

“Finally,” said Linsey Marr, an expert on airborne viruses in the article of The New York Times.1) “We’ve known this for a long time and yet people are still focusing so much on surface cleaning. There’s really no evidence that anyone has ever gotten COVID-19 by touching a contaminated surface.”

 

 

The results of studies suggest that the chance of getting SARS-CoV-2 infection from contaminated surface is less than 1 in 10,000. According to the C.D.C., the other transmission routes are more remarkable: droplet transmission, airborne transmission and direct contact.2)

 

Also, Lancet3) stated that “there is consistent, strong evidence that SARS-CoV-2 spreads by airborne transmission. Although other routes can contribute, we believe that the airborne route is likely to be dominant. The public health community should act accordingly and without further delay.”

 

Updated guidelines: in most everyday scenarios and environments, people do not need to use chemical disinfectants

 

The C.D.C. also updated its guidelines4) regarding cleaning and disinfecting surfaces to reduce the risk of infection. The new guidelines say that in most cases there is no need to disinfect surfaces, and instead the most reliable way to prevent infection from surfaces is to regularly wash hands. Disinfection is recommended in indoor settings when there has been a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 within the last 24 hours.

 

The experts state that organizations around the world have been spending massive amounts of time and money to deep-clean surfaces, while other transmission routes have been a remarkably bigger problem. According to them, we should shift our effort toward cleaning shared air, not shared surfaces.5)



Electric air purification eliminates viruses, bacteria and all living microbes

 

Wearing masks, washing hands, keeping safe distances, and taking care of ventilation are still important measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Also air purification is an effective way to reduce the airborne viruses from indoor air.  

 

Genano’s air purifiers have been scientifically proven6) to eliminate 99,999 % of airborne viruses from indoor air. The technology can also eliminate bacteria and other small particles, which can carry the viruses around the room.

 

Genano’s technology has been chosen for many hospitals around the world to reduce infections already during the SARS and MERS epidemics. In the same way, we can offer safe air to offices, schools, nursing homes, gyms and other public spaces. 

 

Offices, restaurants and schools are slowly opening again, so it is the right time to ensure safe indoor air for these places. Genano’s air decontamination units can be installed quickly with an easy plug & play -installation in all places where safe indoor air is needed.

 

Sources:

 

1) The New York Times 8.4.2021: Has the Era of Overzealous Cleaning Finally Come to an End?

2) CDC: Science Brief: SARS-CoV-2 and Surface (Fomite) Transmission for Indoor Community Environments

3) https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00869-2/fulltext

4) CDC: Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility

5) The Washington Post 11.12.2020: We are over-cleaning in response to covid-19

6) VTT 11/2020 Microbiological efficacy of Genano air purification technology

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