Skyline Building Care

As the holiday season approaches, bringing excitement and opportunities to connect with loved ones, it also signifies a surge in indoor gatherings and an increased risk of flu transmission. Facility cleaning managers can take proactive measures by monitoring flu case trends in specific states, allowing them to reinforce hand hygiene practices, evaluate indoor air quality (IAQ), and enhance touchpoint disinfection protocols. A valuable tool for gauging the potential outbreak in a community is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) weekly flu tracker. The "Weekly U.S. Influenza Report" rates jurisdictions on a 6-tier scale: Very High, High, Moderate, Low, Minimal, and Insufficient data, providing updated information on flu activity. In the recent findings from week 45 (ending on Nov. 11, 2023), Louisiana was the sole jurisdiction classified as "Very High," with an additional seven jurisdictions categorized as "High" (New Mexico, Puerto Ri...

Fall marks the commencement of the annual outbreak season, commonly referred to as "Virus Season." Although outbreaks are most rampant between November and April, they extend beyond viruses alone. The question arises: how unclean is considered unclean? Anywhere people gather tends to transform into an optimal breeding ground for viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Unchecked, microbial environments flourish, particularly in places like schools, hospitals, daycares, nursing homes, and doctor's offices. Publicly accessible businesses and community spaces such as libraries, gyms, and places of worship are also susceptible. The American Society for Microbiology conducted experiments illustrating the swift spread of contamination from a single doorknob in a high-traffic area. Within two to four hours of exposure, tracer viruses were detectable on 40-60 percent of individuals interacting with the knob. This heightened contamination extended to various frequently touched surfaces like ...