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. At this time, there are no specific vaccines or treatments for COVID-19.
Source: World Health Organization (WHO)
There is much to learn about the novel coronavirus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Based on what is currently known about the virus, spread from person-to-person happens most frequently among close contacts (within about 6 feet). This type of transmission occurs via respiratory droplets. Transmission of novel coronavirus to persons from surfaces contaminated with the virus has not been documented.
Current evidence suggests that novel coronavirus may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces made from a variety of materials. Cleaning of visibly dirty surfaces followed by disinfection is a best practice measure for prevention of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses in community settings. When someone touches a surface or object contaminated with the virus that causes COVID-19 and then touches their own eyes, nose, or mouth, they may expose themselves to the virus. Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Source: Center For Disease Control (CDC)
Surfaces (e.g. desks and tables) and objects (e.g. telephones, keyboards) need to be wiped with disinfectant regularly. Why? Because contamination on surfaces touched by employees and customers is one of the main ways that COVID-19 spreads. Promote regular and thorough hand-washing by employees, contractors and customers. Promote good respiratory hygiene in the workplace this includes coughing into your elbow and proper sanitizing procedures. If an employee becomes ill, contact your local health department for guidance on actions to be taken. Source: World Health Organization (WHO)
In assessing potential hazards, employers should consider whether or not their employees may encounter someone infected with COVID-19 in the course of their duties. Employers should also determine if workers could be exposed to environments (e.g., worksites) or materials (e.g., laboratory samples, waste) contaminated with the virus. Depending on the work setting, employers may also rely on identification of sick individuals who have signs, symptoms, and/or a history of travel to COVID-19-affected areas that indicate potential infection with the virus, in order to help identify exposure risks for employees and implement appropriate control measures.
Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Employers should educate all employees on performing cleaning, laundry and trash pick-up activities to recognize the symptoms of COVID-19 and provide instructions on what to do if they develop symptoms within 14 days after their last possible exposure to the virus. At a minimum, any employee should immediately notify their supervisor and the local health department if they develop symptoms of COVID-19. The health department will provide guidance on what actions need to be taken. When working with your local health department check their available hours. Employers should develop policies for employee protection and provide training to all cleaning staff on site prior to providing cleaning tasks. Training should include when to use PPE, what PPE is necessary, how to properly put on and take of PPE and how to properly dispose of PPE. Employers must ensure employees are trained on the hazards of the cleaning chemicals used in the workplace in accordance with OSHA’s Hazard Communication standard (29 CFR 1910.1200). Employers must comply with OSHA’s standards on Bloodborne Pathogens (29 CFR 1910.1030), including proper disposal of regulated waste, and PPE (29 CFR 1910.132). Source: Center For Disease Control (CDC)
A touchpoint is an area that receives high physical interaction. Touchpoints may vary by the type of facility being cleaned. While not a touchpoint for biohazard services, it is important to note to also frequently clean cell phones and other mobile devices in a pandemic to assist in decreasing disease transmission. It has become clear that the cleaning of touchpoints and specialized treatment involving the application of disinfectant is an essential service. To further reduce the potential for infection transmission, touchpoint cleaning should be paired with the application of disinfectants to the many surfaces where viral contaminants may exist.
Doorknobs Locks Door push bars Door edges Stair & Ramp railings Cupboard handles and pulls Appliance handles Light switches Table and desktops
Toilet seats and handles Faucet handles Keyboards and mice Elevator buttons Vending machine buttons Equipment controls Countertops Telephones
The different types of PPE include face shields, gloves, goggles and glasses, gowns/Tyvek style suit, head covers, masks, respirators and shoe covers. Face shields, gloves, goggles and glasses, gowns, headcovers, and shoe covers protect against the transmission of germs through contact and droplet routes. N95 HALF MASK RESPIRATOR FULL MASK RESPIRATOR PAPR-POSITIVE PRESSURE FULL FACE RESPIRATOR SUPPLIED AIR FULL MASK RESPIRATOR
PROACTIVE TREATMENT Treatment to areas with no known exposure of COVID-19. Clean & apply disinfectant on horizontal surfaces, followed by fogging application.
SUSPECT TREATMENT Treatment to areas with suspect exposure of COVID-19. Clean & apply disinfectant by wiping both vertical and horizontal surfaces, followed by fogging application.
Disclaimer: Due to the evolving nature of this virus, J.R. Johnson has the ability to clean and apply disinfectant but cannot guarantee 100% disinfection due to uncontrollable variables or post treatment exposure.
REACTIVE TREATMENT Treatment to areas with confirmed exposure to COVID-19 includes all steps in #2. The highest level of PPE is required to ensure the health and safety of technician. Pumped in air with full face respirator may be used or required. Proper decontamination chambers with proper disposal of contaminates.
Before hiring a cleaning service, confirm the company is qualified to clean COVID-19. COVID-19 falls as a bio-hazard clean up and specialized cleaning solutions and processes must be followed.
J.R Johnson’s process involves wiping hard surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, faucets and desks followed by a fogging application. Our response team is trained on methods and procedures to apply EPA disinfectant solutions.
The solution used is an EPA commercial grade disinfectant with 99.99% kill rate. Call J.R. Johnson’s emergency line to learn more about our proactive applications or to schedule services with one of our biohazard response team. Call J.R. JOHNSON for pricing inquires at 503.240.3388