title
The purpose of the
above-mentioned document: cleaning recommendations for non-medical locations
(ex. Rooms, offices, transport, Teaching-upbringing facilities, etc.),
individuals infected/ ill with new coronavirus COVID-19 have visited. The
abovementioned recommendations are based on current knowledge about COVID-19
and allegations resulting from researches carried out on other coronaviruses.
Target audience:
Governmental and non-Governmental organizations, Facilities and other
interested structures, individual.
COVID-19:
Provoking agent SARS-CoV 2, by which there are already a big number of infected
people registered in many countries, belongs to the Betacoronavirus genera
group, which is a part of membraned, positive, single-stranded RNA
Coronaviridae family. Coronaviruses are, most commonly, spread by respiratory
droplets, by close contact, on the other hand, other ways of transmission also
may be possible.
Stability in
environment of this virus is not fully inquired, but based on the researches
carried out for evaluating the stability of other coronaviruses in the
environment, Severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV) is stable in the
environment for a couple of days, what concerns the middle east respiratory
syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), is stable for more than 48 hours in room
temperature (20 ° C) on different surfaces.
Cleaning guidelines: based on current
knowledge, since the vitality of a virus can last for a couple of days, rooms,
zones, storage rooms which are potentially contaminated with SARS-CoV2, must be
cleaned, before usage, with antimicrobial solutions (disinfectants), which are
effective against coronavirus.
Despite the lack
of allegations, water, and household detergents are enough for prophylactic
cleaning against SARS-CoV-2. Researches were carried out to assess the
effectiveness of a couple of antimicrobials (Table 1) against coronavirus.
Indicated substances with active ingredients (ex: Sodium Hypochlorite (a
constituent of Household whitener) and Ethanol), is broadly available.
In the latest
researches, the effectiveness of different disinfectants is compared to each
other.
It is acquired,
that after one-minute contact with a solid surface, 70 % concentrated ethanol,
has got a comparatively strong effect on different coronaviruses, unlike 0.06%
Sodium Hypochlorite.
Tests carried out
on SARS-CoV showed, that Sodium hypochlorite usage is also effective in
concentrations of 0.05 and 0.1 % after five minutes. Similar results were
acquired with usage of household detergents, which consist of Sodium Laureth
Sulfate, Alkyl Polyglycosides and Diethanolamide of coco-fatty acid.
Table 1.
antimicrobial agents, which are effective against different coronaviruses
(human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E), Mouse Hepatitis Virus (MHV-2 and MHV-N),
Dog coronavirus (CCV), Gastroenteritis contagious virus (TGEV) and Acute
respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS)- CoV)
Antimicrobial agent
|
concentration
|
Coronaviruses tested
|
Ethanol
|
70%
|
HCoV-229E, MHV-2, MHV-N, CCV,
TGEV
|
Sodium Hypochlorite
|
0.1-0.5%
0.05-0.1%
|
HCoV-229E
SARS-CoV
|
Povidone-iodine
|
10% (1% Iodine)
|
HCoV-229E
|
Glutaraldehyde
|
2%
|
HCoV-229E
|
Isopropanol
|
50%
|
MHV-2, MHV-N, CCV
|
Benzalkonium chloride
|
0.05%
|
MHV-2, MHV-N, CCV
|
Sodium chlorite
|
0.23%
|
MHV-2, MHV-N, CCV
|
Formaldehyde
|
0.7%
|
MHV-2, MHV-N, CCV
|
Recommended rule
for cleaning: It is expedient to use 0.1 % Sodium hypochlorite (meaning Neutral
detergent) (resolving 1:50, if household whitener is used- with initial 5 %
concentration) for surface decontamination purposes, although there are no
records about its effectiveness against SARS CoV2.
For surfaces that
may be damaged by Sodium Hypochlorite, 70 % Ethanol or other specimens can be
used for decontamination, after neutral washing detergent usage.
Cleaning must be
carried out using adequate Personal Protection Equipment (Rules for putting on
and removing PPE can be found in a technical document of ECDC “Safe use of
Personal Protective Equipment for highly infectious Diseases” or at www.ncdc.ge
Disposable PPE
must be considered as potentially infectious specimen and be eliminated
according to approved rules. The usage of disposable or specially assigned
cleaning devices is also recommended. Reusable PPE must be disinfected after
finishing the job. (ex: 0.1% Sodium Hypochlorite or 70% ethanol). While using
all chemical substances, recommendations of manufacturers must be taken into
account. While using chemical substances
for cleaning, as a rule, the unit must be ventilated to protect the health of
individuals carrying out the cleaning.
Presumable
recommendations for cleaning units contaminated with SARS-CoV2 are:
×
Filter
containing Respirator, Class 2 or 3 (FFP2 or FFP3)
×
Goggles
or facial protection shield
×
Disposable
or reusable long-sleeved waterproof clothes
×
Disposable
gloves
Frequently
touched surfaces (walls, doors, doorknobs, steering-wheel, windows, lavatory
bowl, bath surfaces) should be thoroughly cleaned. All fabrics (ex: linen,
curtains, etc.) must be washed with the cycle of hot water (90°C) and washing
detergents additionally.