You may not need all the disinfectant wipes or sprays.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week updated its cleaning guidelines to protect against COVID-19 transmission through surfaces. The agency now says that cleaning is usually just enough and that disinfection is probably only necessary in some circumstances.
“Cleaning with a household cleaner that contains soap or detergent reduces the amount of germs on surfaces and reduces the risk of infection by surfaces,” the guidelines state. “In most situations, cleaning removes most virus particles on surfaces.”
The CDC recommends disinfecting, but if someone in the house has COVID-19 or if someone who has tested positive for the virus in the house for the past 24 hours has been.
At the beginning of the pandemic shops, disinfectants and other products sold out as people ‘panicked’ and stored supplies – such as Lysol and Clorox wipes – to protect against COVID-19. But scientists have since learned more about the coronavirus and how it spreads.
CDC director, dr. Rochelle Walensky, said the guidelines have been updated to ‘reflect the science of transfer’.
“People can be affected by the virus that causes COVID-19 through contact with infected surfaces and objects,” Walensky said during a Monday news conference. “However, evidence has shown that the risk from this infection – or transmission – is actually low.”
According to the CDC, the most important way in which the coronavirus is spread by respiratory droplets, and that studies have shown that the risk of transmission of fomite – or transmission through objects – is low compared to ‘direct contact, droplet transmission or air transmission.
However, the agency recommends regularly cleaning and cleaning surfaces with high contact – such as doorknobs, tables, handles, light switches and worksheets – after visiting visitors.
“Clean other surfaces in your home when they are visibly dirty or if necessary,” it says. ‘Clean them more often if people in your household are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19. You can also choose to disinfect. ‘
The CDC also recommends that steps be taken to reduce surface contamination, including asking visitors who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 to wear a mask and ‘follow guidance for people who have been fully vaccinated’ , and isolate people infected with the coronavirus. hands regularly.
If the surfaces are disinfected, the CDC says to follow the directions on the product label and to clean “visible dirty surfaces” only if the product does not contain a detergent. It is also recommended to wear gloves and ensure adequate ventilation during disinfection.
Walensky said that “infiltration, fumigation, and wide or electrostatic spraying are not recommended as a primary method of disinfection and that it should take into account several safety hazards” in most cases.
She also stressed that wearing a mask “consistently and correctly” and regular hand washing can reduce the risk of “surface transfer”.