It is possible that COVID-19 may survive on some surfaces and objects from a few hours to a few days. To help reduce the spread of COVID-19 both at home and in the clinical environment, it is important to clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that you regularly come into contact with.
Cleaning involves using soap and water to remove germs, dirt and other debris from surfaces. Disinfecting involves the use of chemicals to kill germs.
Both cleaning and disinfecting are essential to reducing the spread of disease, including COVID-19.
Health Canada (2020) suggests using only approved hard-surface disinfectants containing ingredients such as bleach, alcohol and chlorhexidine gluconate. Please click here for the full list of Health Canada approved disinfectants.
Remember that you should always follow local organizational policies and procedures.
Suggested Cleaning Procedure
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BC Centre for Disease Control and BC Ministry of Health (2020)
Table adapted from Public Health Ontario (2018). This document was adapted with the permission of Public Health Ontario. Public Health Ontario assumes no responsibility for the content of any publication resulting from translation/changes/adaptation of PHO documents by third parties.
Government of Canada (2020); Harvard Medical Student COVID-19 Curriculum Committee (2020); Public Health Ontario (2018)