The COVID-19 pandemic has brought enormous uncertainty and suffering. We are all in this situation right now, but this continues to cause enormous stress for all of us. At times like these, we take our role as water experts especially seriously, because every day it seems like something new emerges about the coronavirus, raising new questions about the coronavirus, its life and transmission.
Whether COVID-19 and water in are a bad combination is a good question, as waterborne diseases can be especially worrisome. Fortunately, the news surrounding water and Coronavirus is mostly positive.
Which Places Can COVID-19 Thrive?
Indoor environments: COVID-19 spreads more easily indoors, especially in poorly ventilated spaces where the virus can remain airborne for longer periods of time.
Crowded places: Crowded places such as concerts, sporting events, parties, and crowded markets provide many opportunities for the virus to spread from person to person.
Public transportation: Buses, trains, airplanes, and other forms of public transportation may facilitate the spread of COVID-19 due to close contact between passenger and frequently touched surfaces.
Healthcare facilities: Hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities where infected people are present are at higher risk of transmitting COVID-19, especially if control measures are not followed.
Long-term care facilities: Nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and similar facilities serving vulnerable populations and close living areas that have experienced significant outbreaks of COVID-19.
Workplace: Offices, factories, and other workplaces where people gather for long periods of time can be environments where COVID-19 spreads, especially if physical distancing and measures are in place Other prevention is not implemented effectively.
Household: Close contact with an infected person in the household can lead to transmission of COVID-19 to other household members.
Prisons and Detention Centers: Correctional facilities with limited space and large populations are at higher risk of COVID-19 outbreaks if precautions are not taken.
Shelters and refugee camps: Refugee camps, homeless shelters, and similar facilities characterized by crowded conditions and limited access to health care could facilitate the spread of COVID-19.
Frequently touched surfaces: Any surface that is frequently touched by multiple people, such as doorknobs, handrails, elevator buttons, and shared equipment, may contain bacteria and virus and contribute to virus transmission.
It is important to note that while these environments pose a higher risk of COVID-19 transmission, adhering to precautions such as wearing masks, practicing good hand hygiene, maintaining physical distance adequate ventilation and ventilation can help reduce the risk of infection in any setting.
How does COVID-19 Spread?
COVID-19 is spread primarily through respiratory droplets when an infected person talks, coughs, or sneezes.
Close contact: Being close (about 6 feet or 2 meters) to an infected person, especially indoors, increases the risk of infection.
Respiratory droplets: Inhaling virus-containing respiratory droplets produced by an infected person when talking, coughing, or sneezing.
Aerosol transmission: Inhalation of smaller airborne particles containing virus that can remain in the air for long periods of time, especially in poorly ventilated indoor spaces.
Direct contact: Touching a contaminated surface or object then touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Fomite transmission: Transmission of virus from contaminated surface or object to hands and then to face.
Talking and breathing: Although less common than coughing or sneezing, talking and breathing can also release respiratory droplets containing the virus, contributing to transmission, especially at close distances.
Asymptomatic transmission: Transmission of the virus by people who are infected but do not show symptoms (asymptomatic) or before developing symptoms (pre-symptomatic).
Close personal contact: Activities such as hugging, kissing, or shaking hands with an infected person can facilitate transmission.
Indoor gatherings: Large indoor gatherings where people from different households gather increase the risk of transmission, especially if physical distancing and masking are not practiced.
Crowded places: Crowded environments, such as public transportation, markets, and shopping malls, where physical distancing is difficult to maintain, may facilitate the spread of the virus .
Poor ventilation: Inadequate ventilation in indoor spaces can lead to the accumulation of respiratory droplets and airborne particles, increasing the risk of transmission.
Duration of exposure: Prolonged contact with an infected person, especially in an enclosed space, increases the likelihood of transmission.
Sharing objects: Sharing objects such as utensils, towels or electronic devices with an infected person can lead to transmission if appropriate hygiene measures are not followed.
Occupational Settings: Certain occupations, such as healthcare workers, frontline workers, and those in close contact with the public, have a higher risk of exposure to COVID-19.
Travel: Traveling to areas with high rates of COVID-19 transmission or coming into contact with an infected person while traveling may lead to the spread of the virus.
What are the causes of COVID-19?
SARS-CoV-2 virus: The main cause of Covid-19 is SARS-CoV-2 virus, a new type of Corona virus that appeared at the end of 2019 in Wuhan, China. Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause respiratory illnesses ranging from the common cold to more serious illnesses such as SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and MERS (central respiratory syndrome).
Person-to-person transmission: COVID-19 spreads primarily from person to person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person talks, coughs, or sneezes. These droplets can be inhaled by individuals within close distance (about 6 feet or 2 meters) of an infected person or can land on surfaces, where they can remain for a period of time and capable of infecting others through contact.
Asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic spread: One of the challenges in controlling the spread of COVID-19 is that infected people can spread the virus to others even when they are not having symptoms (asymptomatic) or before symptoms appear (pre-symptomatic). This means that seemingly healthy people can unknowingly transmit the virus to others.
Close contact: Close contact with an infected person, especially in indoor environments with poor ventilation, increases the risk of transmission. Activities such as talking, singing or breathing heavily can also contribute to the spread of the virus.
Community spread: COVID-19 can spread in the community through interactions between individuals in a variety of settings, including households, workplaces, schools, and social gatherings. Community spread occurs when the source of infection is unknown or when individuals acquire the virus from other members of the community rather than traveling to the affected area.
Travel-related transmission: Traveling to areas with high rates of COVID-19 transmission or contact with an infected person while traveling may lead to the spread of the virus. In particular, international travel has played an important role in the global spread of COVID-19.
Variants of concern: Variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, such as the Delta variant, have emerged over time and are associated with increased transmission. These variants may spread more easily from person to person, leading to higher rates of COVID-19 transmission in affected areas.
Challenges in implementing public health measures: Failure to fully comply with public health measures such as wearing masks, physical distancing, hand hygiene and vaccination can contribute contributes to the spread of COVID-19 in the community.
How Long does COVID-19 Last on Surfaces?
The survival time of the COVID-19 virus, SARS-CoV-2, on surfaces can vary depending on factors such as surface type, temperature, humidity and viral load.
Hard surfaces (plastic, stainless steel, glass): SARS-CoV-2 can survive on hard surfaces for periods of time ranging from several hours to several days. Studies have shown a lifetime of up to 72 hours (3 days) on plastic and stainless-steel surfaces under ideal conditions.
Cardboard and paper: SARS-CoV-2 tends to survive for a shorter time on porous surfaces such as cardboard and paper than on hard surfaces. The survival time on these surfaces is usually shorter, from a few hours to about 24 hours.
Copper: SARS-CoV-2 appears to have less viability on copper surfaces than on other materials. Studies show that the virus can survive up to 4 hours on copper surfaces.
Fabric and clothing: Viruses can survive on fabric and clothing for a shorter time than on hard surfaces. Although the exact survival time can vary, studies suggest survival ranges from a few hours to a few days, depending on factors such as tissue type and environmental conditions.
Water: SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted primarily through respiratory droplets and aerosols rather than through water transmission. It has not been proven that the virus can survive for long periods in properly treated water systems, such as swimming pools, drinking water or natural bodies of water.
It is important to note that although the virus may be detectable on surfaces for a period of time, the risk of transmission through surface contact is generally lower than the risk of direct transmission from person to person via respiratory droplets.
However, good hand hygiene, including washing hands frequently with soap and water or using hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, can help reduce the risk of catching the virus from contaminated surfaces. Additionally, regular cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched surfaces can further reduce the risk of disease transmission in indoor environments.
Prevention and Vaccination of COVID 19
Prevention measures:
Vaccinations: Vaccination against COVID-19 is one of the most effective ways to prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death from the virus. These vaccines have been rigorously tested for safety and effectiveness and are recommended for eligible individuals by health authorities worldwide.
Wear a mask: Wearing a mask, especially in indoor public places or crowded outdoor spaces, helps reduce the spread of respiratory droplets containing the virus. The mask must cover the nose and mouth and fit tightly on both sides of the face, with no gaps.
Physical distance: Maintain a safe distance (at least 6 feet or 2 meters) from others, especially in environments where wearing a mask is difficult or when interacting with visitors to your home you, helping to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus.
Hand Hygiene: Practicing good hand hygiene by frequently washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after being in public places or touching surfaces, helps eliminate viruses and other hand pathogens. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Avoid large gatherings: Limiting attendance at large gatherings and events where people from multiple households gather close together helps reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
Ventilation: Ensure good ventilation in indoor spaces by opening windows and doors or using mechanical ventilation systems that dilute and remove airborne particles, thereby reducing the risk of chance of virus transmission.
Clean and Disinfect: Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, light switches, and kitchen counters, using an EPA-approved disinfectant, helps prevent the spread of viruses.
Stay home when sick: People with even mild COVID-19 symptoms should stay home and avoid contact with others to prevent the spread of the virus.
COVID-19 vaccination:
COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective tools to prevent COVID-19 disease and reduce its severity.
Key points about COVID-19 vaccination include: Vaccination recommendations for eligible individuals, including adults, adolescents, and children, are based on guidance from health agencies such as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and local health departments.
Covid-19 vaccines have undergone rigorous testing in clinical trials to evaluate safety and effectiveness before receiving emergency use authorization or full approval from agencies manage. Vaccines stimulate the body’s immune response to recognize and fight the virus if exposed, providing protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. Vaccination efforts aim to achieve herd immunity, where the majority of the population is immune to the virus, thereby reducing the spread of the virus in the community and protecting vulnerable individuals. Booster doses may be recommended to maintain vaccine effectiveness over time and provide additional protection against emerging variants of the virus.
Can COVID-19 Live in Water?
There are some things to consider regarding COVID-19 and water:
Waterborne transmission: There is currently no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 can spread through systems properly treated and maintained water, including drinking water, swimming pools, hot water systems. The virus spreads mainly through respiratory droplets and aerosols rather than through water transmission.
Swimming pools and spas: Proper operation, maintenance and disinfection of swimming pools and spas with chlorine or bromine will inactivate the virus, reducing the risk of transmission. However, it is important that people using these facilities maintain physical distancing and follow other precautions, such as wearing masks when not in the water and practicing good hand hygiene.
Recreational aquatic activities: Participation in recreational aquatic activities such as swimming, surfing, or boating in waters where COVID-19 is endemic does not pose a significant risk of transmission, as long as physical distancing and other precautions are respected. However, close contact with people other than water should be minimized.
Wastewater monitoring: Wastewater monitoring has been used as a tool to monitor the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the community by detecting the genetic material (RNA) of the virus in wastewater. Although viruses can be detected in wastewater, this does not necessarily indicate a risk of waterborne transmission.
Overall, the risk of COVID-19 transmission through water is considered low, especially in properly treated and maintained water systems. It is important that individuals continue to follow public health guidance and recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID-19, both domestically and internationally.