What about the Coronavirus (COVID-19)? Can it be contained with regular cleaning?
We have all seen it on the news: Concerned Australians are snapping up key supermarket items, toilet paper and cleaning supplies in anticipation of a possible coronavirus pandemic declaration. Here are some key facts when it comes to COVID-19 in combination with your hygiene and cleaning routines.
First of all we have to look at how does the COVID-19 spread?
The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales. These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. People can also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets. It is important to make sure you, and the people around you, follow good hygiene and keep their surroundings clean.
How long does the virus survive on surfaces?
It is not certain how long the virus that causes COVID-19 survives on surfaces, but it seems to behave like other coronaviruses. Studies suggest that coronaviruses (including preliminary information on the COVID-19 virus) may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days. This may vary under different conditions (e.g. type of surface, temperature or humidity of the environment). If you think a surface may be infected, clean it to protect yourself and others. Wash your hands with soap and water. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose.
Ha-Ra has been assisting hospitals and steriliser departments in Australia with their cleaning tasks for over 23 years. Could cleaning prevent the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
The WHO suggests that droplets of infected people around you can land on objects and surfaces around the person. Therefore it is important to make sure you, and the people around you, follow good hygiene and keep their surroundings clean. It is recommended to clean touched surfaces frequently, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick.
Independent Australian Laboratories Bernard-Heath-Associates and Medvet Science have proven that Ha-Ra's technology works. If you have a totally dry, clean surface the germs cannot grow, much in the same way as if we as humans do not have food and water we cannot survive; bacteria cannot survive without water and nutrients.
Independent Australian Laboratories Bernard-Heath-Associates and Medvet Science have proven that Ha-Ra's technology works. If you have a totally dry, clean surface the germs cannot grow, much in the same way as if we as humans do not have food and water we cannot survive; bacteria cannot survive without water and nutrients.
What is the difference between bacteria and viruses?
Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms that thrive in many different types of environments. Some varieties live in extremes of cold or heat. Others make their home in people's intestines, where they help digest food. Most bacteria cause no harm to people, but there are exceptions. Viruses are even smaller than bacteria and require living hosts — such as people, plants or animals — to multiply. Otherwise, they can't survive. When a virus enters your body, it invades some of your cells and takes over the cell machinery, redirecting it to produce the virus.What can you do to protect yourself and prevent the spread of disease?
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds.
- Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good hygiene.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact such as kissing, hugging, and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or shirt sleeve, not your hands.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
Which Ha-Ra products are flying off the shelves since the outbreak of COVID-19?
Cleaning with Ha-Ra is simple. First you clean a surface and then you dry off to leave no residue behind. The advanced fibres can be washed in the washing machine to be reused hygienically. The best product to clean door knobs and toys is the Mach 6 Glove or Natura Cloth in combination with our Star Polishing Cloth. One customer reported to us that she keeps a Natura Glove handy when leaving the house to open doors or use an ATM. When she returns home she simply washes the Glove in the washing machine.
Contents of this article are provided by the World Health Organisation (WHO). WHO is assessing ongoing research on the ways COVID-19 is spread and will continue to share updated findings on their website.
Contents of this article are provided by the World Health Organisation (WHO). WHO is assessing ongoing research on the ways COVID-19 is spread and will continue to share updated findings on their website.
