Do you wonder how fast a virus spreads within an enclosed space like a building or an office? A new study revealed that a virus that lingers in a doorknob can spread around people within 2 to 4 hours.
The new study presented by the University of Arizona scientists in the 54th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC) of American Society for Microbiology also highlighted that viruses may already affect up to 60% of people within the facility.
The research made use of a phage with a norovirus, which is responsible for gastroenteritis that cause no less than 50,000 hospitalizations and almost a thousand deaths in the United States. The phage was then placed in commonly touched objects such as a doorknob and a tabletop.
In different hours after "infection," they measured the spread on easily contaminated surfaces (fomites) like handles of sink taps, phones, and computer equipment for the presence of the virus. They later learned that in less than 3 hours, at least 40% of the fomites now have the virus.
Nevertheless, the same experiment also suggests that virus spread can reduce to almost 100% by using QUATS or wipes with quaternary. Their high level of effectiveness can be attributed to its negative charge. It immediately damages viruses, which carry a positive charge. The researchers also stress the importance of proper hand washing.
Illness is considered as one of the major causes of absenteeism. Rates normally go up during flu season, regardless whether the employees surveyed worked as part time or full time. Meanwhile, The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index shared that the yearly productivity loss costs for U.S. companies can be as high as $84 billion. This is after they conducted a survey across over 75% employees who suffer from chronic health conditions. For unscheduled absences, the publication Bottom-Line Killer revealed that companies spend $3,600 and $2,650 annually for hourly and salaried workers, respectively.