Understanding Covid-19

BASIC INFORMATION ON CORONAVIRUS

Coronaviruses are a type of organism that often cause respiratory diseases in people and animals. In the fall of 2019 a new mutation of a coronavirus was first detected in China. The new variation was soon recognized to have properties similar to the 2003 coronavirus that led to the description of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). As such, the virus was named “SARS-CoV-2” by the World Health Organization (WHO). Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 can lead to a specific form of illness characterized by very high fever and dry cough named “coronavirus disease 2019” – abbreviated “COVID-19”.

Within months of its identification, despite extensive efforts at containment, COVID-19 spread around the globe and was declared by the World Health Organization to be a “pandemic”; a world-wide epidemic of an illness for which people have no natural immunity.

It is noted that older adults, particularly those with weakened immune systems and underlying health problems, are at a higher risk for severe COVID-19 associated illness. This means that medical facilities and eldercare accommodations are especially vulnerable to outbreaks.

To address the risk, significant efforts are being directed at developing a vaccine. However, as of the published date of this document, no such preventative medicine is available. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) “Nonpharmaceutical intervention would be the most important response strategy” to COVID-19. Their pronouncement means that infection control and home care of the affected are the key response measures.

(Restoration Industry Association. www.restorationindustry.org)

Terminology

Cleaning refers to the removal of dirt and impurities, including germs, from surfaces. Cleaning alone does not kill germs. But by removing the germs, it decreases their number and therefore any risk of spreading infection.

Sanitizing refers to reducing the amount of germs in a given environment.

Disinfecting works by using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs. But killing germs remaining on a surface after cleaning further reduces any risk of spreading infection.

HIGH TOUCH POINTS

The CDC recommends routine cleaning focusing primarily on high touch points in common areas. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Door knobs, handles & light switches
• Desktops and hard surfaces
• Sinks, faucets, and toilets

Equipment

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

For environments with confirmed cases: Disposable gloves, gowns, and full face respirators will be used for all tasks in the cleaning process, including handling trash.

For preventative cleaning: Disposable gloves, gowns, and full face, half face, or n95 respirators will be used for all tasks in the cleaning process, including handling trash.

HYDROXYL MACHINE

Hydroxyl radicals damage bacteria and viruses including corona-type viruses. They are completely safe to operate continuously. This machine can be set up for both COVID-19 jobs with confirmed cases and COVID-19 jobs without confirmed cases to aid in prevention.

DISINFECTANTS

The CDC believes that products proven to be effective against previous versions of COVID will be effective with COVID-19 and recommends their use. EPA-registered disinfectants are expected to be effective against COVID-19 based on data for harder to kill viruses. The manufacturer’s instructions will be followed for all cleaning and disinfection products.

Some of these disinfectants have a 10-minute dwell time. This means that the product must be left on the surface for at least 10-minutes before being wiped off.

Covid-19 Protocol

ENVIRONMENTS WITH CONFIRMED CASES

Unfortunately, cleaned and treated surfaces can become recontaminated in minutes if an infected individual is present and sneezes or coughs without controlling the droplet spread. Due to the nature of contamination and infectious disease, Team K Services cannot be held liable for the presence of COVID-19 once the structure is released from cleaning. Team K Services cannot guarantee sterilization or the lack of COVID-19 due to the lack of testing available, the nature of porous materials and the lack of EPA registered products having COVID-19 on the kill claim.

For environments with confirmed cases of COVID-19, Team K Services will use a two-phase protocol. These phases include:

Phase 1: A gross cleaning is first conducted in which dirt is removed.

Phase 2: A secondary cleaning is then preformed which includes an application of an EPA registered disinfectant.

• For disinfection, an EPA-registered disinfectant will be used. EPA-registered disinfectants are expected to be effective against COVID-19 based on data for harder to kill viruses. The manufacturer’s instructions will be followed for all cleaning and disinfection products.
• The secondary cleaning includes applying a proEnvironments without Confirmed Cases duct with a 10 minute ‘dwell time’ to kill viruses followed by a final wipe down.
• Additionally, all cleaning will be performed with a hydroxyl machine and Air Filtration Device running in the environment.

In certain cases, environments will also benefit from ‘fogging’ with an EPA registered disinfectant listing COVID-19 on the Kill Claim. This is particularly useful with porous material.

ENVIRONMENTS WITHOUT CONFIRMED CASES

For environments without confirmed cases many of the same protocols are followed in order to reduce risk and aid in prevention.

• We will apply EPA-registered disinfectant to all High Touch Points.
• Team K also uses Air Filtration Devices as the removal of aerosolized particulate during the cleaning process may further improve the overall cleaning efficacy and reduce risk.