The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently updated its FluView Influenza Surveillance Report showing a concerning spike in Influenza Type-A H3N2 infections and hospitalizations among all age groups, especially those 25 years and older.

A New Year, A New Flu
2021 saw a plodding start to the cold and flu season, leaving many to hope that it would match the previous year and be, blessedly, all but absent.

Candida Auris (C. Auris) is a pathogenic fungus that behaves like a bacteria, spreads rapidly via dermal transmission, is incredibly difficult to diagnose, and has experienced a rapid rise in outbreaks since 2016.

Candida Auris
C. Auris, initially discovered in 2009, is a multi-drug resistant yeast that spreads rapidly, is extremely difficult to identify and kill, and has a high mortality rate.

COVID-19 spotlighted classroom cleaning and sanitization protocols that ranged from highly inadequate to borderline dereliction and, based on current data, little that must have changed in the interim.

Current Issues With Classroom Cleaning and sanitization Strategies
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many poorly conceived and executed cleaning and sanitization strategies have been implemented.

Scientific facility cleaning--when, how, and with what--will reduce waste, prevent occupant exposure to corrosive chemicals, and improve overall cleaning outcomes.

Facility Cleaning--When, How, and With What
Environmental sanitation raced from a quiet place in the back of people's minds to the forefront of a seemingly endless and controversial battle against COVID-19.

Before the pandemic, facility cleaning (outside of healthcare environments) was primarily and incorrectly viewed as a necessary expense to maintain the visual appeal of a facility and keep bad smells in check.

As alarms are raised regarding reported increases in Omicron variant infections, businesses wishing to maintain public trust will need to maintain high facility health and sanitation standards.

Omicron in California
The Omicron variant is confirmed in California, but it may have been here before the World Health Organization declared it a variant of concern or gave it a Greek letter designation.

Cleaning is a top priority for occupants and consumers returning to the workplace or in-person shopping, and few areas impact impressions, decisions, and health as much as the facility restrooms sanitation and hygiene.

Clean Restrooms a Top Priority for Returning Americans
Facility cleanliness remains a high priority for Americans returning to the workplace and in-person shopping.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the rate of facility cleaning increased dramatically, which brought many of the issues associated with conventional cleaning practices, such as safety and sustainability, to the forefront of conversations around occupant health and wellness.

As more and more people return to pre-pandemic facility occupancy, one thing must stay the same--the commitment to ongoing high-quality hand hygiene and awareness to prevent the spread of infectious disease.

Handwashing as a Method for Disease Prevention
Good personal hygiene is paramount for addressing and preventing outbreaks and the spread of infectious diseases.

High levels of workplace cleanliness improve employee wellness, reduce absences, increase positive online sentiment, and establish an environment of wellbeing that is crucial for occupant productivity and job satisfaction.

Why Workplace Cleanliness Must Take Priority Well After the Pandemic
Workplace cleanliness has a direct impact on:

Occupant health and wellness.

Sustainable office cleaning strategies extend beyond natural resource management to include reductions in hazardous material use and waste, improvements to indoor environmental quality, and protections for occupant health and wellness.

Hygiene Theater: How COVID-19 Improved the Case for Sustainable Office Cleaning
At the onset of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, a significant volume of hazardous chemicals was dumped haphazardly onto every conceivable surface, including skin and food, in an attempt to protect individual health and prevent the spread of infection.