There are a lot of mixed messages going around regarding the potential pandemic of Coronavirus or Covid-19 as it’s now been named.
It is clear that the infection can be passed from human to human and is highly infectious. At the moment around 1 person in 100 with the virus is dying, most victims have had underlying health issues. Cases in the UK have doubled in a few days and at this rate the virus will become a risk for most, if not everyone.
Having spoken to suppliers of the chemicals we use (Selden, Evans etc) we are told that the actual virus has not been tested to see what kills it but as most disinfectants and bleach kill most viruses, the chances are they’ll kill this one too. What we are being told is to give chemicals a thirty-minute dwell time to be on the safer side.
It seems to start with a fever, followed by a dry cough and then, after a week, leads to shortness of breath and some patients needing hospital treatment. The World Health Organization says data from 17,000 patients suggests 82% have mild disease, 15% are severe and 3% critical.
It is unsure if masks are of any use at all. Most people do not use them properly anyway and it is thought that putting them down on infected surfaces, touching the mask with infected hands or not having the right grade of mask may be a waste of time. Washing hands (at least 20 seconds, ensuring you wash and dry properly) at least 5 times a day and avoiding touching eyes and mouth is the best way to avoid getting Covid-19 but again there’s no guarantee.
Use hand gels whenever you can if there’s no where to wash and use paper towels (and dispose) immediately after washing is the safest.
In office / workplace environments, especially where you can share a desk or phone, use disinfectant wipes and again use gel after touching things that may have been touched by someone else. Be aware that taps have been touched before you wash so turning them off afterwards may be a risk. Use a paper towel or toilet roll then dispose. Same goes for door handles, locks and basically anything that can cause a cross contamination.
The latest information for medical establishments has a link,
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wn-cov-guidance-for-primary-care/wn-cov-interim-guidance-for-primary-care
The Government and HNS are issuing advice on a regular basis and the news is providing updates on the spread and implications on health as more is known.
