From the New York Times – 28 May 2020
The article discusses the possibility of catching the coronavirus from contaminated surfaces, such as groceries, delivered packages or elevator buttons. The US Center for Disease Control (CDC) issued a news release to clarify that indirect contact with a contaminated surface – in what is known as “fomite transmission” – does present a potential risk for catching COVID-19.
Fomites occur after a person infected with a virus coughs or sneezes on to their hands and then touches a surface, or droplets land directly on a surface.
This is why handwashing has been emphasized as being important to prevent the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. After a person has touched a surface that may have the virus on it and then touches their mouth, nose or possibly eyes, they may receive enough of the virus to cause an infection. Several studies have shown that viruses that cause flu and colds can be spread by touching contaminated surfaces in places such as hospitals and offices.
The article thus shows how having high-touch surfaces that are antimicrobial can reduce the risk of transmission of infectious agents, whether they be bacteria or viruses.
Read the full article here.