What is COVID-19?
Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses that can cause illness in animals and humans. Some coronaviruses commonly circulate in the United States and usually cause upper respiratory symptoms such as cough or runny nose, although some can cause more serious illness. The 2019 novel (new) coronavirus causes the illness coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Just like there are different types of related viruses that cause smallpox, chickenpox, and monkeypox, different coronaviruses cause different diseases in people. Coronavirus causes SARS and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). The novel coronavirus, COVID-19 is one of seven types of known human coronaviruses. COVID-19, like the MERS and SARS coronaviruses, likely evolved from a virus previously found in animals. The remaining known coronaviruses cause a significant percentage of colds in adults and children, and these are not a serious threat for otherwise healthy adults.
WHO IS MOST AFFECTED?
Older adults and people who have chronic medical conditions including heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, cancer, and hypertension are at higher risk for more serious COVID-19 illness and death. This is because our immune systems grow weaker as we age, which makes it more challenging for older adults to fight off infectious diseases. Chronic diseases are more common with age, can compromise the immune system, and make people more vulnerable to serious complications. Due to the rapid spread of COVID-19, the CDC recently issued a warning for people who are at the highest risk for serious illness from the virus. It is imperative older adults and others who are at high risk heed the advice of the CDC.
HOW COVID-19 SPREADS
The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person. Someone who is actively sick with COVID-19 can spread the illness to others. That is why CDC recommends that these patients be isolated either in the hospital or at home (depending on the severity of their illness) until they are better and no longer pose a risk of infecting others. How long someone is actively sick can vary. The decision on when to release someone from isolation is made on a case-by-case basis in consultation with doctors, infection prevention and control experts, and public health officials. This involves considering specifics of each situation including disease severity, illness signs and symptoms, and results of laboratory testing for that patient.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY AS A BUILDING OPERATOR
To help reduce the spread of COVID-19, owners and operators of buildings have the obligation to take proper measures to disinfect their buildings. American Integrated COVID-19 Response Team can assist you in this task.
Stages may employ the following methods and technologies as appropriate:
- EPA-registered chlorine or peroxide-based cleaners
- Ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection
- Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide (VHP) mist fogger
- Donning and doffing of personal protection equipment (PPE), including respiratory protection
- Disposal of waste marked as biohazard
- Decontamination team health monitoring
American Integrated Resources INFECTIOUS CLEANUP SERVICE, SOP & PROCESS
VAPORIZED HYDROGEN PEROXIDE MIST FOGGERS
American Integrated Resources uses hydrogen peroxide mist foggers to disperse sanitizing chemicals and disinfect surfaces. Mist foggers use electrostatic spraying to ensure large areas and hard-to-reach corners and crevices are coated with disinfectant. This method is ideal for hidden surfaces and high-touch point areas such as railings, door handles, water fountains, lockers and other fixtures and furniture found in high- traffic common areas.
CLEANING AGENT – HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
American Integrated Resources uses EPA-registered Chlorine or Peroxide-based cleaners. They are highly effective against the COVID-19 Virus and work by creating destructive hydroxyl free radicals that kill pathogenic microbes including bacteria, viruses, molds, fungi, and spores. These free radicals attack membrane lipids, DNA, and other essential cell components that the microbes cannot survive without. Because of its ability to produce hydroxyl free radicals, hydrogen peroxide becomes an extremely effective choice for creating a sterile environment. This makes hydrogen peroxide an ideal choice for use in hospitals and healthcare facilities because only sterilization can eliminate all forms of microbial life, including spores.
ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT DISINFECTION
Unlike chemical approaches to water disinfection, UV provides rapid, effective inactivation of microorganisms through a physical process. When bacteria, viruses and protozoa are exposed to the germicidal wavelengths of UV light, they are rendered incapable of reproducing and infecting. UV light has demonstrated efficacy against pathogenic organisms, including those responsible for cholera, polio, typhoid, hepatitis and other bacterial, viral and parasitic diseases. In addition, UV light (either alone or in conjunction with hydrogen peroxide) can destroy chemical contaminants such as pesticides, industrial solvents, and pharmaceuticals through a process called UV-oxidation.
BIOHAZARD WASTE DISPOSAL
American Integrated Resources technicians are trained to properly dispose of biological waste. Waste is handled by certified personnel and sent to state-approved facilities to be thermally destroyed in accordance with local and state regulations.
PROTECTION & PRICING
Stages may employ the following methods and technologies as appropriate:
- EPA-registered chlorine or peroxide-based cleaners
- Ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection
- Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide (VHP) mist fogger
- Donning and doffing of personal protection equipment (PPE), including respiratory protection
- Disposal of waste marked as biohazard
- Decontamination team health monitoring
STAGE ONE – PRECAUTIONARY
Level one protection is for businesses with no known contamination seeking to maintain safe and sanitary environments for customers and employees. Daily or twice-daily disinfection is conducted by American Integrated Resources’s team of trained and experienced biohazard cleanup technicians, using EPA- registered chlorine or peroxide-based cleaners and proper disposal of waste. Treatments can be performed during off hours to avoid business interruption.
STAGE TWO – POSSIBLE EXPOSURE
Business or public spaces with suspected exposure (an infected person inside the building) require detailed 10-foot down disinfection and deep-clean decontamination performed by American Integrated Resources’s team of respiratory infection cleanup.
STAGE THREE – CONFIRMED EXPOSURE
Businesses or public spaces with confirmed exposure to COVID-19 require customized protocols specific to the site to ensure thorough and proper decontamination. American Integrated Resources will work with your team to develop a custom plan that protects the health of their employees, customers and communities.
PRICING INFORMATION
Since every project is different, American Integrated Resources will design a scope of work based on the level of Hazard present. Our complexity of the scope will determine our pricing. We will be happy to visit the site or discuss your needs and come up with pricing based on either: Time and Materials, Mandays/lumpsum, S/F or stage of decontamination. S/F price for each stage is the most common.