Cleaning Measures to Reduce the Spread of Strep A in Schools
Group A Streptococcus (GAS), often known as Strep A, is a bacterial infection that is commonly found on the skin or in the throat. GAS infections often manifest as impetigo, cellulitis, and a slight sore throat (also known as "strep throat").
Concerns have been raised by the UK Health Security Agency as a result of a rise in lower respiratory Group A Strep infections in children in recent months, which have resulted in a number of fatalities and severe illness. It is crucial for schools to implement cleaning measures to stop the spread of Strep A and ensure the safety of students, teachers, and parents when they enter school facilities. These include:
Disinfecting Surfaces
It is not surprising that schools are great breeding grounds for colds, flu, and infections such as Strep A. Maintaining clean and hygienic classrooms is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of illnesses within the school environment, so staff members must use all available means to achieve this aim.
Be sure that staff members take the time to clean and sanitise all work surfaces, including desks, laptops, and shared whiteboards, in between classes and at the end of the school day. By hiring a reputable professional cleaning company, you can also make sure these areas are cleaned frequently outside of school hours.
Hand Washing
The strep A infection can spread through close contact, confined spaces and shared contact with surfaces such as door plates, handles and taps. So it is essential that hand washing remains the most important step in preventing the spread of such infections.
Deep Cleaning
According to the Outbreak Control Team (OCT), deep cleaning is considered an additional control measure that should be taken by schools to reduce the spread of Step A.
Guidelines state that equipment should be cleaned regularly during the outbreak, followed by a "very thorough terminal" once the disease has ended. Throughout the day, it is advisable to routinely clean door knobs, tap handles, toilet flush handles and other touch points. Daily vacuuming of soft furniture and carpets is recommended.
This requires specific cleaning methods and for the best results, it is recommended you use a professional cleaning service. At Rapid Clean we have a wealth of experience in cleaning education facilities and understand that every education facility has differing needs. Within our school contracts, we encourage
termly deep cleans.
Promote Healthy Practices
To keep children and employees safe, consider buying hand sanitiser bottles to put on desks or even investing in automated hand sanitiser stations that students can use as they enter the classroom. Encouraging students to use hand sanitiser on a regular basis in educational settings will promote general good hygiene, so it is well worth implementing.
To remind everyone of their responsibilities, it is also a good idea to display hand-washing and other health and safety posters around the school to promote good cleaning habits.
At Rapid Clean,
we have a wealth of experience in cleaning education facilities and understand that every education facility has differing needs, so we aim to be as flexible as possible. Our team of qualified and professional cleaning operatives are carefully selected, and DBS-checked.
