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08 April 2020 Schools, churches and cruise ships are the environments that can contribute to the spread of Covid-19 for incorrect cleaning. The virus can survive on certain surfaces for up to 9 days, more with colder temperatures.

The alarm was raised by researchers from the Surgical Infection Research Group of Macquarie University in Sydney.

In the study, published in the Journal of Hospital Infection, concern is expressed about the adequacy of cleaning standards in non-hospital settings and it is emphasized that the data collected should serve as a warning to hospital staff so that cleaning is not neglected when the therapy units intensive are under pressure.

"The hospitals - writes the research manager, Karen Vickery - have highly qualified personnel. One wonders if the cleaners in schools, on cruise ships, have the same preparation.

Research shows that the bottom of the chairs is an area where viruses lurk more. And the infection can also come simply by lifting them up to move them, because it is also an area where little is cleaned.

Bad cleaning practices, Vickery notes, can be responsible for unexplained infections. "We believe it is so - he says - that the infection often spreads in the community and also in ships".

Several studies indicate that viruses can survive up to five days on metal, glass, paper and ceramic and 9 days on plastic. It is also crucial to wash surfaces with soap before disinfecting them, concludes the expert.