While reduced restrictions and increased foot traffic are good news in many ways for facilities, that climate poses new and renewed cleaning and hygiene challenges. One of those is a rise in norovirus cases.
Outbreaks of norovirus, commonly known as the stomach flu or stomach bug, have been increasing since January, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
From August 1, 2021, to March 5, 2022, there were 448 norovirus outbreaks reported, up from only 78 cases during the same period the year before. The fact that there were so few last year is unsurprising, given prolonged periods of full or partial facility closures and the prevalence of other health measures that have since been eased, such as mask-wearing.
The number of outbreaks reported during the 2021-22 seasonal year is below the range reported during the same period over the previous eight years, but facility managers and cleaning staff must still be aware of the risks posed.
Norovirus is not spread by respiratory droplets as coronavirus is, but the increase in outbreaks is likely at least a partial effect of relaxed infection control measures at a time when social distancing measures have also been eased.
Many notable outbreaks of norovirus occur in high-density facilities and areas such as schools, care centres, and nursing homes.
Halting norovirus in its tracks is tough. It is possible to spread billions of microscopic norovirus particles on surfaces and through contaminated food or water, and it takes just a few of those particles to make someone sick.
As with many diseases, the key to stopping the spread is strong preventative measures such as a diligent and detailed cleaning and disinfection plan.
Other basics that have been reiterated throughout the COVID-19 pandemic are highly relevant, too.
Dr. Robert Atmar, a professor of medicine and infectious diseases expert at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Tex., told NBC News that the best way to avoid norovirus is with good hand hygiene. For cleaning surfaces, he recommends a diluted bleach solution for decontaminating affected areas.
