Aftertime Bio

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What Areas and Surfaces Need to be Cleaned For COVID-19?

The coronavirus pandemic is, unfortunately, far from over. With more cases each day, there’s never been more of a focus on cleaning and disinfecting surfaces at home and in the office to prevent the spread of virus. While social distancing and wearing a face mask or other protective covering are necessary for staying safe indoors, properly cleaning and sanitizing surfaces can’t be ignored. 

The problem with germs is that they are too small to be seen with the naked eye. This is why you need to be thorough with your cleaning — to ensure that you get everything. The process can be overwhelming, so don’t hesitate to search for “coronavirus cleaners near me” and hire Aftertime-Bio to take care of it all for you. Our technicians have the knowledge and experience to see the process through. There’s a lot to keep track of with COVID-19 cleaning, so don’t be afraid to ask for help. 

How Long Do Germs Stay on Surfaces?

The Mayo Clinic suggests that droplets containing cold and flu viruses, such as the novel coronavirus, can stay infectious for several hours. How long the germs remain infectious depends on the particular type of germ. It also depends on the surface in question. In general, hard surfaces such as plastic and stainless steel hold onto germs for longer. 

Doctors suggest coronavirus and other flu viruses can last for up to 24 hours on hard surfaces. Other viruses, such as clostridium difficile and the norovirus can last for up to weeks at a time on a hard surface. Soft surfaces, such as blankets and couches, don’t hold germs for as long. This is why you should focus on cleaning hard surfaces in particular. COVID 19 cleaning services can be useful for ensuring that all surfaces are sufficiently treated. 

Please note that other factors, such as temperature and humidity levels, affect how long viruses may live on surfaces. These are only rough estimates based on average external factors. It’s possible that the virus may persist longer than listed here. 

Federal Guidelines for Cleaning Coronavirus 

Several government agencies, such as the CDC and EPA, have released coronavirus cleaning guidelines for those who want to tackle the problem by themselves. 

The CDC recommends immediately closing areas used by someone exposed to coronavirus. Businesses should then wait as long as possible – preferably 24 hours at the least – to begin disinfecting. Open windows and doors to improve circulation. 

Start by removing obvious grime and dirt from surfaces and areas. From there, use disinfectant products to clean shared surfaces that are likely to have germs on them. The cleaning should be done by professionals in the right protection equipment, including gloves, and immediately washing their hands when done. Dispose of cleaning gear to ensure minimal risk of transference. 

The EPA maintains and updates a list of disinfectants considered to be effective against coronavirus. The agency recommends that you use these products and follow the directions listed on them, as some products may take longer to be effective than others. Be sure to use the longest time or highest concentration if different concentrations and times are listed on the product. 

What Areas to Focus On?

The CDC and EPA encourage cleaning high-touch surfaces including counters, tables, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, switches, tablets, phones, and keyboards. Here are other areas to focus on:

Bathrooms 

When cleaning bathrooms, be sure to focus on opening knobs for cupboards and drawers. Clean the taps on baths and sinks and the flushing handle for the toilet. Clean the sink and toilet to be safe. If you have any shelves or racks in your bathroom, such as for storing toiletries, they should be cleaned as well. 

Kitchens 

Focus on cupboards and drawers as with bathrooms. Clean the taps on the sink. Don’t forget about appliances and handles, such as refrigerators, pots, pans, microwaves, and ovens. Don’t forget the shelves and racks while you’re cleaning. 

Living Areas

There’s more to clean at home than you might expect. Clean the usual suspects such as tables and doorknobs, but don’t neglect little things that might go unnoticed. Be sure to clean video game controllers, remote controls, landlines, cell phones, and tablets. Also, be sure to clean light switches, stair handrails, and carpets or rugs. 

Office Spaces

Office spaces can be particularly difficult to clean. There’s no telling where an infected employee may have touched. Start by cleaning their working area and the area around it. Also, clean any communal areas they may have visited. Pay special attention to surfaces and appliances. Clean keyboards, monitors, and computer mice. Clean big appliances like printers and vending machines. Cleaning is even more important in a retail space or hospitality setting.

You don’t want to jeopardize the health and safety of your customers any more than you would your employees. Pay special attention to sales counters, carpets, and shelving. It can be worth utilizing covid-19 commercial cleaning services to ensure that cleaning is done to the right standard. 

Schools

Schools have a huge responsibility to stay clean. Even though children and young adults are less at-risk from the severe side-effects of coronavirus, they can still pass it on to their parents and loved ones. Teachers are also not granted immunity. Make sure to clean desks, boards, equipment, drinking fountains, vending machines, stair handrails, and elevator buttons and controls. 

Let Aftertime-Bio Help

As you can see, there’s a lot to clean when it comes to coronavirus. It may feel like too much, even. However, it’s much better to be safe than sorry with this. 

The idea of cleaning all this — and more — is no doubt daunting for many. If you are feeling overwhelmed at the thought of all the work you’ll need to do, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Aftertime-Bio is here to help, and we provide professional coronavirus disinfection services. Our team of dedicated coronavirus cleaning experts knows what needs to be done and have the tools to do it. Count on us to clean everything that matters to you to protect your home, school, business, or other building safe from coronavirus. 

What To Do If You Have A Suspected Or Confirmed Cases Of COVID-19 In The Workplace

Businesses across the country – and indeed the world – are slowly reopening in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the virus is still with us, so the new challenge becomes how to handle suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the workplace. Your business should have a plan in place before reopening. It’s much better to be prepared for the worst-case scenario. With that in mind, here’s what to do if you have a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 in the workplace. 

A Four-Step Plan For Handling Workplace COVID-19

1. Isolate, and Quarantine Confirmed Cases 

Anyone confirmed to have COVID, or be suspected of having it, should stay at home until released by a public health official or physician. If the employee/employer can’t get access to a medical note confirming the release, then employees should follow CDC guidelines about self-isolation and when to end it. The CDC has specific guidelines depending on the displayed symptoms and whether or not the person tests positive. You can find the latest CDC advice here. 

2. Talk to Employees Who Worked With Infected Workers 

You need to talk to anyone who worked with or near (within six feet) of the infected employee for an extended period. This can be up to ten minutes for employees that work closely together or up to half an hour or longer for those who shared tools and items. Focus on people who worked with the employee within 48 hours of symptoms/positive test. The CDC recommends isolating anyone who worked close to the infected worker. Employees should self-isolate for 14 days at home. Self-isolating employees should monitor themselves for coronavirus symptoms, avoid contact with high-risk people, and consult a doctor if their symptoms worsen. 

Please note the CDC developed separate guidelines for essential workers. If your business is considered an essential one, then asymptomatic employees who have been exposed directly to a confirmed COVID-19 case can continue to work, per specific guidelines. Asymptomatic employees are still a potential risk and should be monitored. Please also note that these guidelines change all the time. It’s essential that you stay updated on the latest developments and guidelines. 

3. Clean and Disinfect the Workplace 

The next step is to ensure that workplaces are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Cleaners should clean and disinfect everything in the workplace, such as offices, common areas, and bathrooms. Cleaners should focus on the areas and surfaces frequently used by the infected employee. 

Please don’t neglect the safety of employees still working during and after the cleaning process. Employees should be informed about what chemicals are used during cleaning and the potential risks they present. 

Aftertime-Bio is ready and waiting to help with your coronavirus cleanup. The technicians at Aftertime-Bio take every necessary precaution to protect themselves, your employees, and your customers against coronavirus infection. Count on us to give your workplace the deep clean it needs after suspected or confirmed workplace coronavirus cases. 

4. Notify Employees 

The CDC recommends informing employees about confirmed cases. Please be careful not to reveal confidential medical information about the case, such as the employee’s name. Also, inform employees about the steps you took to rectify the situation, including mandating employees who worked closely with the infected individual to self-isolate at home. Tell employees about your efforts to clean and sanitize the workplace to keep it safe, and remind employees to seek medical help if they exhibit coronavirus symptoms. 

Informing employees is for more than their benefit. Failing to report the situation to employees could violate OSHA’s general duty clause. This clause guarantees a safe working environment for employees and mandates that employers do their best to provide such an environment. 

What Coronavirus Testing Does the CDC Recommend?

The CDC’s current guidelines suggest not using antibody tests to determine if employees have coronavirus or can return to work. Antibody tests check blood samples for SARS-CoV-2 infection. This is the virus that causes coronavirus. Viral tests are better for detecting COVID and whether employees are still infected. These tests check a sample taken from the inside of the nose for SARS-CoV-2 infection. 

The CDC recommends that employers make viral testing a part of the plan to prepare for, respond to, and control coronavirus cases. Please note that different states could have unique guidelines and priorities for workplace testing. Double-check the rules for your area before committing to anything. 

When Can Infected Employees Return to Work?

The question of when employees can return to work is an important one. Employees should take all necessary precautions to prevent coronavirus spread first and foremost. Infected employees should not come back to the workplace until they meet the needs to end home isolation. Sick employees should also consult with a medical professional and be cleared to return before returning to work. 

Employers shouldn’t ask employees to receive a negative test result or a medical note permitting them to return to work. These are not full guarantees that the employee is in the clear, and not every employee has access to these. What employees can do is stay home until they meet the criteria laid out by the CDC here. 

Aftertime Bio Can Help

With a coronavirus vaccine in the works, it’s only a matter of time before the world slowly returns to normal. Many businesses have plans in place to open back up and resume business or have already done so. Those businesses should be aware of the risks of coronavirus infection. Companies must have a plan in place to deal with employees who get sick.

This plan should include a rigorous cleaning of infected surfaces and areas. Count on Aftertime-Bio to help with cleaning after a coronavirus case in the workplace. We have all the equipment and tools necessary to get the job done correctly. 

Our COVID-19 Cleaning Process