Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), formerly called nCoV-19
General Information
A novel Coronavirus, (novel meaning a new strain of a virus that has not been previously identified in humans), currently designated SARS-CoV-2, was first identified in China. It causes a disease called Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) which has caused severe illness and death in China and has spread to several other countries.
COVID-19 was identified in December 2019 in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. Most people infected with SARS-CoV-2 developed severe acute respiratory illness (pneumonia) with symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath, related to the disease called COVID-19. There have been several reported deaths. Investigators are trying to determine the source of SARS-CoV-2, and there is a link to a large wholesale fish and live animal market in Wuhan City. The virus has moved to other countries via travelers. There have been several reported cases around the world of COVID-19, including several in North America.
Prior to this, Coronaviruses have been linked to two major outbreaks: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV).
Transmission
The SARS-CoV-2 appears to spread from close, person-to-person contact.
This virus may also spread by touching contaminated objects or surfaces and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
Symptoms
Current symptoms reported for patients with COVID-19 have included mild to severe respiratory illness. Symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
At this time, it seems that symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure to SARS-CoV-2. To date, cases have been linked with recent travel to Wuhan China, or direct contact with those who have recently traveled there.
Prevention
There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19.
The best methods of prevention include:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Stay home when you are sick
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Prevention in Healthcare
The following are general recommendations for preventing the transmission of infectious agents in healthcare settings (https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/isolation/index.html):
- Providing masks and hand hygiene products at all ports of entry to health systems (hospitals, physician offices, clinics)
- Place surgical masks on symptomatic patients immediately (clinically tolerable).
- Rapid triage symptomatic patients in designated areas (negative pressure if available)
- Immediate placement in isolation precautions (standard, contact, airborne) and use eye protection, e.g. goggles, or a face shield, e.g. droplet precautions
- Strict adherence to hand hygiene guidelines by healthcare workers
- Conduct proper environmental hygiene with use of EPA-registered disinfectants that have microbiocidal (i.e., killing) activity against the pathogens most likely to contaminate the patient-care environment (in this case enveloped viruses). Use in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
The products listed on the attached are on the EPA List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2. List N includes products that meet EPA’s criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19. The SKU list is avaiable in the download pdf below.
Please note that many products are listed under the registration name, and it may differ from the product name you know. You should reference the EPA registration number for confirmation.
https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2
Refer to the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/ for additional information.
Contact your Diversey Sales Executive for additional product information.
