Coronavirus may be hiding in these daily objects in your household!
As the number of coronavirus cases continue to rise at an alarming rate, it has become all the more important to practise social distancing and follow hygiene protocols with utmost sincerity. It is important to note that even as various health groups across the world are inching closer to a cure for the highly infectious contagion, proper sanitization and hygiene measures still remain our first line of defence against COVID-19.
02/5​The silent nature of the disease
According to a research published in journal Annals of Internal Medicine as much as 45 per cent of coronavirus cases may be asymptomatic in nature, which in turn makes it incredibly challenging to control the spread of the virus. The study also highlighted that those who are not showing any symptoms of COVID-19 can remain infectious for more than 14 days i.e. they may be able to transmit the virus to others for a longer period of time.
03/5Are you cleaning well?
Simply put, an asymptomatic carrier can easily infect others even by contaminating the household objects, by leaving behind the viral load. Hence, it is important to be aware of the ‘COVID hotspots’ in your own home, in case you or any of the family members feel remotely unwell or are suspicious that you may have contracted the virus. Even if you diligently clean and sanitize high-touch surfaces inside your home, it may be possible that you are missing out on other potentially contaminated sites.
04/5​COVID-19 may be lurking in these household objects
Even if you are regularly cleaning and disinfecting the high-contact surfaces in your house including the doorknobs, faucets, sink and tabletops, there is one area that you may be missing out on. According to research conducted by the American Society for Microbiology, it was found that there were three most contaminated sites in the rooms of confirmed COVID-19 patients in China. These included their bedsheets, their pillows and bedrails. What is even more shocking is that the rooms were properly sanitized and disinfected twice daily!
05/5The bottom line
This finding underlines the importance of changing bedsheets and pillowcases more frequently than usual during these unprecedented times, especially if someone you are not quarantining with is present to spend the night at your house.
Hence, in addition to keeping your footwear outside the house and tossing clothes in the bin after you have come from outside, consider washing your pillowcases every alternative day and bedsheets at least twice a week.
Remember, even though there is no hard and fast rule about the washing of beddings, there is nothing wrong with being extra cautious during a pandemic, especially if you have a guest at your house.