Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19)

Reference By - Australian Government Department of Health

Environmental cleaning and disinfection principles for COVID-19

Routine environmental cleaning

1. Cleaning is an essential part of disinfection. Organic matter can inactivate many disinfectants. Cleaning reduces the soil load, allowing the disinfectant to work. 
2. Removal of germs such as the virus that causes COVID-19 requires thorough cleaning followed by disinfection.
3. The length of time that SARS-COV-2 (the cause of COVID-19) survives on inanimate surfaces will vary depending on factors such as the amount of contaminated body fluid – such as respiratory droplets – present and environmental temperature and humidity. In general, coronaviruses are unlikely to survive for long once droplets produced by coughing or   sneezing dry out.

It is good practice to routinely clean surfaces as follows: 
1. Clean frequently touched surfaces with detergent solution (see diagram below).
2. Clean general surfaces and fittings when visibly soiled and immediately after any spillage. 

Hand hygiene

Soap and water should be used for hand hygiene when hands are visibly soiled and alcohol based hand rub at other times (e.g. when hands have been contaminated from contact with environmental surfaces). Cleaning hands also helps to reduce environmental contamination. 
Information for cleaning staff
Information for cleaning staff on cleaning and disinfecting can be found below.

CLEANING STAFF 

The risk when cleaning is not the same as the risk when face to face with a sick person who may be coughing or sneezing. 
1. Cleaning staff should be informed to avoid touching their face, especially their mouth, nose, and eyes when cleaning.
2. Cleaning staff should wear impermeable disposable gloves and a surgical mask plus eye protection or a face shield while cleaning.
3. Cleaners should use alcohol-based hand rub before putting on and after removing gloves.
4. Alcohol-based hand rub should also be used before and after removing the surgical mask and eye protection. 

The surgical mask and eye protection act as barriers to people inadvertently touching their face with contaminated hands and fingers, whether gloved or not.
1. The disinfectant used should be one for which the manufacturer claims antiviral activity, meaning it can kill the virus (such as chlorine-based disinfectants, which are commonly used - see below)
2. If there is visible contamination with respiratory secretions or other body fluid, the cleaners should wear a full length disposable gown in addition to the surgical mask, eye protection and gloves 
3. Advice should be sought from your work health and safety consultants on correct procedures for wearing PPE. 

Use of disinfection

1. Use freshly made bleach solution and follow manufacturer’s instructions for appropriate dilution and use (see below for dilution instructions). 
2. Wipe the area with bleach solution using disposable paper towels or a disposable cloth.
3. Dispose of gloves and mask in a leak proof plastic bag.
4. Wash hands well using soap and water and dry with disposable paper or single-use cloth towel. If water is unavailable, clean hands with alcohol-based hand rub. 

Preparation of disinfectant solution

1. Gloves should be worn when handling and preparing bleach solutions. 
2. Protective eye wear should be worn in case of splashing. 
3. Bleach solution should be:  
      1. made up daily 
      2. used mainly on hard, non-porous surfaces (it can damage textiles and metals).
4. Sufficient time is required to kill the virus, i.e., at least 10 minutes contact time. 

Social contact environments

Social contact environments include (but are not limited to), transport vehicles, shopping centers and private businesses.

The risk of transmission of COVID-19 in the social and non-health care work settings can be minimized through a good standard of general hygiene. This includes: 

1. Promoting cough etiquette and respiratory hygiene.
2. Routine cleaning of frequently touched hard surfaces with detergent/disinfectant solution/wipe.
3. Providing adequate alcohol-based hand rub for staff and consumers to use. Alcohol-based hand rub stations should be available, especially in areas where food is on display and frequent touching of produce occurs.
4. Training staff on use of alcohol-based hand rub.
5. Consider signs to ask shoppers to only touch what they intend to purchase. 

Health care settings 

Primary and community care
Patient areas
1. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces with detergent and disinfectant wipe/solution between each episode of patient care (according to normal infection prevention and control practice).  2. Take care to clean/disinfect surfaces in areas that patients have directly in contact with or have been exposed to respiratory droplets.
3. Gross contamination of an area following a patient may require a terminal clean (see below).
4. Comply with ‘5 Moments’ of hand hygiene. 

Non-patient areas 

1. Perform routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces with detergent/disinfectant solution/wipe at least daily or when visibly dirty.
2. Floors should be cleaned using a detergent solution. 

Inpatient care

1. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces with detergent and disinfectant wipe/solution at least daily or more frequently in high intensity (e.g. ICU) or high traffic (e.g. radiology, outpatients) areas.
2. Clean and disinfect equipment after each use (as per normal infection prevention and control practice).
3. Clean and disinfect surfaces that have been in direct contact with or exposed to respiratory droplets between each patient episode.

Terminal cleaning

Terminal cleaning is a complete and enhanced cleaning procedure that decontaminates an area following discharge or transfer of a patient with an infectious/communicable disease, sometimes also referred to as an ‘infectious clean’. Terminal cleaning requires both thorough cleaning and disinfection for environmental decontamination. 

Cleaning should be followed by or combined with a disinfectant process (see 2-step clean and 2in-1 step clean below).

Ensure room is prepared prior to cleaning, remove medical equipment and patient used items.
1. Wear PPE – surgical mask, protective eyewear and gloves .
2. Change bed screens and curtains (including disposable curtains/screens) that are soiled or contaminated 
3. Damp dust all surfaces, furniture and fittings
4. Clean windows, sills and frames
5. Clean all surfaces of bed and mattress 
6. Mop floor
7. Remove PPE and perform hand hygiene 
8. Clean all cleaning equipment and return it to the cleaners’ room or storage area, discard any waste. 9. Perform hand hygiene 

2-step clean
Physical cleaning with detergent followed by disinfection with a TGA-listed hospital-grade disinfectant with activity against viruses (according to label/product information) or a chlorinebased product such as sodium hypochlorite. 

2-in-1 clean
A physical clean using a combined detergent and TGA-listed hospital-grade disinfectant with activity against viruses (according to label/product information) or a chlorine-based product such as sodium hypochlorite, where indicated for use i.e. a combined detergent/disinfectant wipe or solution.

How can we help prevent the spread of COVID-19?

Practicing good hand and sneeze/cough hygiene is the best defence against most viruses. You should:
1. wash your hands frequently with soap and water, before and after eating, and after going to the toilet 
2. cover your cough and sneeze, dispose of tissues, and use alcohol-based hand sanitiser, and 
3. if unwell, avoid contact with others (touching, kissing, hugging, and other intimate contact. 

More information

While coronavirus is of concern, it is important to remember that most people displaying symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat or tiredness are likely suffering with a cold or other respiratory illness—not coronavirus.
For the latest advice, information and resources, go to www.health.gov.au

Call the National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you require translating or interpreting services, call 131 450.

The phone number of each state or territory public health agency is available at www.health.gov.au/state-territory-contacts

If you have concerns about your health, speak to a doctor.