According to the current data, reported respiratory infections have spiked across the country, highlighting the need for increased cleaning and targeted disinfection frequencies in high-risk facilities.
Major Spike in Influenza-Like Illnesses
The U.S. is experiencing a massive spike in reported influenza-like illnesses--a fever with a cough or sore throat.
The percentage of outpatient cases for the 47th week of 2022 sits at 7.5% -- well above the 2.5% baseline and as high as the deadly 2017-18 cold and flu season at its peak.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC);
Nationwide during week 47, 7.5% of patient visits reported through ILINet were due to respiratory illness that included fever plus a cough or sore throat, also referred to as ILI.
This is above the national baseline of 2.5%.
All 10 HHS regions are above their respective baselines.
The percent of patient visits for respiratory illness remained stable (change of ≤ .1 percentage points) in Region 6, and increased in all other regions during week 47 compared to week 46.
Multiple respiratory viruses are co-circulating, and the relative contribution of influenza virus infection to ILI varies by location.
Implementing COVID Cleaning Policies to Combat Rising ILI Cases
In November 2021, the CDC updated its published guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting facilities to prevent COVID transmission, which included frequencies and coverage requirements that are equally advisable during widespread ILI outbreaks.
If no one is sick and there are no reports of widespread illness in the local community, cleaning once daily with a commercial-grade soap-based detergent is considered adequate, and daily hotspot disinfection is advisable.
However, an increase in cleaning and disinfection frequencies is recommended under the following conditions:
- Someone in the building is sick.
- The facility primarily houses or provides service to vulnerable demographics (children, the elderly, and the immuno-compromised).
- The building is poorly ventilated.
- Occupants do not have access to soap or hand sanitizer, or;
- If there are reports of widespread illness in the community.
Increasing cleaning and disinfection frequencies can be streamlined by selecting a suitable product from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) List N.
Per the CDCs COVID cleaning guidelines;
Consider the type of surface and how often the surface is touched. Generally, the more people who touch a surface, the higher the risk.
Prioritize cleaning high-touch surfaces at least once a day.
Examples of high-touch surfaces include pens, counters, shopping carts, tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, stair rails, elevator buttons, desks, keyboards, phones, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
If the space is a high-traffic area, or if certain conditions apply, you may choose to clean more frequently or disinfect in addition to cleaning.
Takeaway
Due to major spikes in nationwide respiratory illness cases, increased cleaning and disinfection frequencies are warranted in most districts to prevent increased transmission.
According to ManageMen;
Depending on the size of your building(s) and the type of your operation (e.g. in-house department versus contract), one of the easiest things you can do to limit the spread of the flu is to increase cleaning frequencies.
If your department typically cleans in the evening after the building is vacated, you can assign a day porter who is responsible for cleaning fomites, or high-touch areas throughout the building.
These cleaning frequencies should be adjusted based on building occupancy, traffic and severity of the outbreak.
For example, a restroom in an emergency room requires much more frequent cleaning than a restroom in a private office building.
Onboarding and managing the requisite labor and material resources necessary to ensure the highest standards of cleanliness are achieved and maintained may prove cost-prohibitive for many organizations.
Outsourcing is a proven method for onboarding highly in-demand cleaning and disinfection services and experience for a fraction of the price of maintaining a similar service in-house.
If you would like more information regarding the effectiveness of high-performance infection prevention and control measures, or if you would like to schedule a free, no-obligation on-site assessment of your facility's custodial needs, contact us today for a free quote!
In Bakersfield, CA, call (661) 437-3253
In Fresno, CA, call (559) 206-1059
In Valencia, CA, or Santa Clarita, CA, call (661) 437-3253
In Palmdale, CA, or Lancaster, CA, call (661) 371-4756
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