Monitoring the presence and infection risk of Covid-19 and Norovirus

Benefits of Surface Testing Covid-19 and Norovirus

Virus outbreaks can be costly, time consuming and limit the operational ability of a business. In addition, they can endanger vulnerable people. Testing is vital:

Prevent virus outbreaks by monitoring presence of the SARS-CoV-2 and Norovirus

Limit and minimise the spread during an outbreak

Individual testing using nostril swabs is costly, time consuming and in some settings might be difficult or impossible (especially in care and nursing homes) –> Surface Swabbing is an efficient and effective alternative.

Scientists found that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can be detected on plastic and stainless steel surfaces for up to three days and on cardboard for up to 24 hours*. Evidence suggests that it is possible to contract the virus by touching a contaminated surface or object and then touching the face*.

Environmental or surface swabbing can be an efficient and cheaper alternative which is easy to implement for fast testing:

Results available within 24 hours after the swab is received in the laboratory
Testing before and after cleaning ensures that disinfection routines are working
Surface areas can be tested easily, up to 1m² (=large surface area), which can be multiple locations, like door handles, high traffic areas, desks etc
Individual nostril swabs may not always be carried out correctly
Presence of the virus on surfaces can also be an indicator for the presence in the air (where transmission is much more likely)

Use surface testing to prevent virus from spreading – Analysis by an accredited laboratory – results available within 24 hours after receipt of swab sample:

Swab testing for small area (A4 size ): Coronavirus and Norovirus
Swab testing for large area (1m²): Coronavirus and Norovirus

Suitable for a wide range of environments, including offices, factories, public transport and health care, nursing homes with the ability to test such surfaces as door/grab handles, light switches, HVAC vents, table/desk tops, office equipment, control panels, seat backs, sinks cabinets, tables, walls, machinery, equipment and floors and toilet cubicles. A sterile swab is rubbed over the surface to collect viable samples of viruses present.

We can provide save routine analysis of surfaces – contains everything required to carry out the test:

Swab testing for small area (A4 size ): Coronavirus and Norovirus
Swab testing for large area (1m²): Coronavirus and Norovirus

*References:

Aerosol and surface stability of HCoV-19 (SARS-CoV-2) compared to SARS-CoV-1. van Doremalen N, Bushmaker T, Morris DH, Holbrook MG, Gamble A, Williamson BN, Tamin A, Harcourt JL, Thornburg NJ, Gerber SI, Lloyd-Smith JO, de Wit E, Munster VJ. N Engl J Med. 2020 Mar 17. doi: 10.1056/NEJMc2004973. PMID: 32182409. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/study-suggests-new-coronavirus-may-remain-surfaces-days

J. Biryukov, J. A. Boydston, R. A. Dunning, J. J. Yeager and e. al., “Increasing temperature and relative humidity accelerates inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces,” mSphere, vol. 5, no. 4, pp. e00441-20, 2020.

A. Chin, J. Chu, M. Perera, K. Hui, H. L. Yen, M. Chan, M. Peiris and L. Poon, “Stability of SARS-CoV-2 in different environmental conditions.,” Lancet Microbe, vol. 1, p. e10, 2020.

A. Kratzel, S. Steiner, D. Todt, P. V’kovski, Y. Brueggemann, J. Steinmann, E. Steinmann, V. Thiel and S. Pfaender, “Temperature-dependent surface stability of SARS-CoV-2,” Journal of Infection, vol. 81, no. 3, pp. 452-482, 2020.

Y. Liu, T. Li, Y. Deng, S. Liu, D. Zhang, H. Li, X. Wang, L. Jia, J. Han, Z. Bei and L. Li, “Stability of SARS-CoV-2 on environmental surfaces and in human excreta,” Journal of Hospital Infection, vol. 107, pp. 105-107, 2021.

S. Riddell, S. Goldie, A. Hill, D. Eagles and T. W. Drew, “The effect of temperature on persistence of SARS-CoV-2 on common surfaces,” Virology Journal, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 1-7, 2020.

N. van Doremalen, T. Bushmaker, D. H. Morris, M. G. Holbrook, A. Gamble, B. N. Williamson, A. Tamin, J. L. Harcourt, N. J. Thornburg, S. I. Gerber and J. O. Lloyd-Smith, “Aerosol and surface stability of SARS-CoV-2 as compared with SARS-CoV-1,” New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 382, no. 16, pp. 1564-1567, 2020.

Disclaimer: Only opinions based upon our own personal experience or information detailed in academic journals or other publications is cited. This has been done exclusively for anyone who is interested in this subject but is not intended to replace proper analysis. We cannot accept responsibility and liability of any kind which may result from the application of this information. We always recommend to consult an expert to discuss any test results or get a full recommendation on the specific subject and specific to your situation by an expert. This information is owned by SimplexHealth and you do NOT have the right to reprint, sell, auction or distribute this information.