Schools are breeding grounds for illnesses, especially during the winter months. With classrooms of 30 children all playing, learning and eating together, it’s no wonder viruses thrive. One of the worst offenders is the dreaded norovirus.
What is norovirus?
Inflammation of the stomach and intestines, norovirus causes vomiting, diarrhoea, as well as a high temperature, headache and aching limbs in some cases. Unfortunately, it is extremely contagious and can live on surfaces for up to 2 weeks. It’s no surprise then, that if it hits a school, it spreads fast causing numerous absences amongst both staff and students.
How is norovirus spread?
Norovirus is spread by close contact with someone infected, touching surfaces and objects that have the virus on them or eating food prepared by someone with the virus. The bad news is that someone can be contagious before their symptoms even start and after they stop, hence why it spreads so easily.
Why is norovirus so prevalent in schools?
According to the NHS, norovirus affects more than 600,000 people every year in the UK. If it starts to spread in schools, it can cause considerable disruption. Children are more susceptible to catching viruses due to the close contact of the students, their weaker immune systems and the school heating systems facilitating the virus.
How do you stop the spread of norovirus?
Norovirus is most prevalent between November and April, so it’s vital that your school adheres to strict hygiene measures to avoid an outbreak. You need to encourage the children to practise good hygiene by washing their hands regularly with soap and water – something they should be well versed in after the covid pandemic! It’s important to note that hand sanitiser does not kill norovirus.
Schools need to be cleaned daily. Having a well-maintained school will limit the transfer of germs and stop the spread of viruses. Clean schools are vital for tackling sickness and absence rates. A hygienic space also creates a happier environment for teachers to teach in and students to learn in. If you’re looking for school cleaning services in Milton Keynes or the surrounding area, Prokleen are your answer. We offer professional commercial cleaning including deep cleaning in Milton Keynes, Bedford and Northampton. Get in touch with us to discuss your school cleaning needs.
How do you protect your school from norovirus?
Prevention really is the best option. Here at Prokleen, we advise you to have a daily cleaning routine in place. This will help to keep horrid vomiting bugs at bay. On top of a regular cleaning regime, autumn/winter is a good time to book a thorough deep clean by a professional cleaning company. They will clean those hard-to-reach and often-forgotten areas. They have specialist cleaning chemicals that will decontaminate the area properly and add an extra layer of protection.
What do we do if we have a norovirus outbreak at our school?
If your school is subject to a norovirus outbreak, you need to make sure that all rooms are well-ventilated. By the time a child or staff member realises that they have norovirus, they would have already come into contact with many surfaces around the school. High-touch points will need particular attention. These include:
- Door handles
- Desks and chairs
- Computer keyboards
- Learning equipment and early years toys
- Faucet and toilet flush handles
- Floors
- Handrails
- Lift buttons
- Light switches
- Water dispensers/water fountains
If you’ve had confirmed cases of norovirus, you need to clean with increased frequency, especially the bathrooms. You need to use a specific cleaning chemical as norovirus is resistant to many common disinfectants. As this nasty winter bug is contagious before symptoms start, the school will need to be professionally cleaned to avoid the spread.
If an infected person has vomited on the floor, it can cause airborne particles so you need to remove the debris immediately and then fully clean the area. A professional cleaning company will know the best way to clean your school and decontaminate the building. They will also prevent any cross-contamination by using different coloured equipment to clean toilets, classrooms and food areas. This is key to reducing the spread of norovirus. Prokleen adhere to BICSc colour-coding guidelines and all staff are trained on best practice to reduce the risk of cross-contamination as they clean.
If you have norovirus in the school, Prokleen recommend a fogging service to help prevent further spread. We use specialised equipment and an anti-viral sanitiser chemical. A fine mist will be sprayed to thoroughly disinfect the space killing bacteria and viruses. This stops norovirus in its tracks, protecting your students and staff.
As a professional school cleaning company in Milton Keynes, Prokleen can provide commercial cleaning services including deep cleaning in Milton Keynes, Northampton, Bedford and nearby. Our qualified and DBS-checked staff are trained to the highest standards. Contact us to discuss how we can create a bespoke cleaning service to suit your school’s needs.
