While younger people can have a COVID-19 (Coronavirus) infection without symptoms, a visit to cheer up an elderly relative can become deadly among the more vulnerable population. For a few reasons, elderly people are the most vulnerable community to the deadly infection. And this highlights the importance of proper hygienic aged care facility cleaning.
At Cleaning Edge Solutions, we are specialists in aged care facility cleaning and we understand the importance of adhering to the cleaning, health and safety standards set by the federal and state governments and other governing authorities. COVID-19 is spreading at a rapid rate, but there are a few things that can be done to slow the spread. Read on for our guide to Coronavirus and the importance of proper hygienic cleaning practices within aged care homes.
What is COVID-19 (Coronavirus)?
COVID-19 is a new viral disease that recently started in mainland China. Cases have since been reported in many countries overseas and within Australia.
How Does It Spread?
The virus can be spread from person to person from infected people through coughing, sneezing or by germs on hands.
What Are the Symptoms?
Symptoms can range from mild to severe and can include a fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Patients with current medical conditions or low immune systems have had evidence of pneumonia (chest infection).
Who is Most at Risk?
The elderly and people with underlying medical conditions (such as diabetes, lung disease, kidney disease or supressed immunity) are at risk of severe illness or death if they are exposed to COVID-19.
Protecting the Residents
There is no vaccine or treatment for this virus, so it is critical that the disease is not introduced to aged care homes. The best way to prevent the spread of infection is for all staff to wash hands or use alcohol-based hand gel frequently – before and after touching residents, linen, or surfaces touched by others.
What if a Facility is Suspected of COVID Cases?
If a facility has suspected cases of COVID-19, experts provide these recommendations:
- Staff should use gowns, gloves and face masks or goggles when treating ill patients.
- Residents suspected of having the virus should be placed in single rooms with closed doors.
- Dining rooms may be closed and meals delivered to all residents’ rooms.
Additional Precautions in Aged Care Facilities
Proper cleaning and sanitisation is also crucial to reducing the spread of infection. When cleaning, staff should minimise the risk of being infected with coronavirus by wearing gloves and using alcohol-based hand sanitiser before and after wearing gloves. If cleaning rooms or areas of the workplace where a person with a confirmed case of coronavirus or a person in isolation has frequented staff may wish to wear a surgical mask as an added precaution. If a confirmed case of coronavirus or a person in isolation is in a room that cleaning staff need to enter, they may ask them to put on a surgical mask if they have one available. All common touch objects and surfaces such as doorknobs, taps, remote controls and light switches, must be cleaned, sanitized and disinfected multiple times a day. Sanitizing reduces germs while disinfection involves removing as many germs as possible.
The team at Cleaning Edge Solutions are qualified in aged care facility cleaning across Australia. We are one of the few triple ISO certified cleaning companies in Australia, providing our clients with the highest quality cleaning services at affordable prices. Contact us today for a free quote.
