Ultraviolet C (UV-C) radiation has been widely used as a disinfectant for over 40 years. Most recent in UV-C lighting technology was installed at Dunedin Hospital in what would be a New Zealand first, following research confirming its effectiveness in inactivating the COVID-19 virus.
COVID-19 patients in the southern region will be treated at Dunedin Hospital, and an infectious disease doctor oversaw the installation of the first set of 20 UV-C superior air disinfection devices. ‘hospital. These have been placed in the emergency room and respiratory department to help the hospital prepare for COVID-positive patients. If necessary, other units will be deployed to other DHB South facilities.
“UV-C lamps offer an efficient and economical solution to improve air disinfection, especially when working with an aging infrastructure,” he says. Compared to the effort required to upgrade mechanical ventilation systems, they are fairly straightforward to upgrade.
The Respiratory Department at Dunedin Hospital contains five negative pressure rooms, and other rooms in the department need to be upgraded to be ready when the virus progresses south. UV-C lamps are one of the many technologies that SDHB is putting in place to increase air disinfection in clinical settings, which will be necessary to manage COVID-19.
In an observation unit in the emergency department as well as in five four-bed rooms in the Respiratory Department of Dunedin Hospital, wall mounted UV-C light is now directed into the ceiling space so that the hospital can receive of COVID-positive patients.
While the usual hospital ventilation system circulates air, exposing the virus to UV-C, UV-C light neutralizes the virus in the air at the top of the room. Below, employees can continue to work in a safe environment. According to the doctor, the technology is used in more than 1,500 hospitals in South Africa for the management of tuberculosis, and it has recently been shown to be particularly effective against the coronavirus.
Upper air UV-C has been shown to be more effective than natural or mechanical ventilation in removing pathogens such as SARS-Cov-2 from the air in most indoor conditions. The method, which has been tested for many years, is said to be effective in disinfecting air, water and surfaces.
Ultimately, UV-C disinfection solutions will be installed in schools, universities, supermarkets, gyms and hospitals in other countries, and the company is happy to help protect New Zealanders from COVID. -19.
OpenGov Asia reported that the New Zealand Aviation Safety Service and COVID-19 detection company have announced the completion of the deployment of 18 units of the new ultraviolet (UV) light tray disinfection kits to help improve public health and safety at airports across the country.
Independent lab tests have shown that UV disinfection kits remove up to 99.9% of microorganisms – including coronaviruses – found on trays at checkpoints, and they have been installed in Auckland (six units ), Wellington (four units), Christchurch International Airports (six units) and Dunedin Airport (two units). UVC radiation is a known disinfectant for air, water and non-porous surfaces. UVC radiation has actually been used for decades to reduce the spread of bacteria, like tuberculosis, or even now for COVID-19.
The UV kit uses short wavelength UV (UVC) light, commonly used for disinfection in healthcare and industrial production to distort the structure of genetic material and prevent viral particles from multiplying or spreading. infect. The kits are protected by a sturdy metal case to ensure that passengers and staff are not exposed to UV rays.
“The New Zealand Aviation Safety Service approached the covid detection systems company with the challenge of tackling the risks of COVID-19 transmission in aviation. New Zealand’s UVC technology at checkpoints helps reassure passengers as well as airport staff. I hope we can extend our experience to other airports in the region that are going through similar challenges and restore confidence in travel. Said the general manager of the detection systems company.
