- CareAccess MSO
Hand Hygiene Day
May 5th is Hand World Hygiene Day. Now more than ever, the WHO calls on everyone to be inspired by the hard-working health professionals fighting COVID-19. Hand hygiene is one of the most effective tools against reducing the spread of pathogens and prevent infections, including the COVID-19 virus.
How to wash your hands:
Wash your hands with soap and running water when your hands are visibly dirty
If your hands are not dirty, frequently clean them by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water
Guidance
Alcohol-based hand rub products should contain at least 60% alcohol, should be certified and where supplies are limited or cost prohibitive can be made locally by carefully following WHO guidance
Plain soap is effective at inactivating enveloped viruses such as the COVID-virus due to the oily surface membrane that is dissolved by soap, killing the virus
Hand-washing removes germs through mechanical action
Chlorinated water a 0.05% is not recommended for routine hand hygiene because it has skin and other toxic effects, and soap is easy to find and can be used effectively
