The spread of covid

The process of transmitting COVID-19 is clearly still the object of research. However, after the discovery of two cases of patients who tested positive for COVID-19 in an apartment in Hong Kong several months ago, there was a suspicion that the spread of the virus could occur through a plumbing in the toilet.

Is that right? Check out the explanation below.

Initial allegation of the spread of COVID-19 through water pipes

As of February 11, 2020, more than 100 residents living in the Tsing Yi area, Hong Kong, have been evacuated and quarantined. The action came after a 62-year-old woman became the second person to test positive for COVID-19 at the Hong Mei House apartment building.

The woman lives 10 floors below the infected first occupant. Because the two patients had never communicated or had skin contact before, there was a suspicion that the spread of COVID-19 could occur through building infrastructure such as water pipes.

What's more, according to reports, both patients lived in the same vertical block. This means, the two patients share the same toilet pipe network. The water pipe in the bathroom where the woman who is a patient lives is also not closed.

The alleged scheme of virus transmission between the two patients is uncertain and requires further investigation. However, the spread of COVID-19 through plumbing is not impossible. In fact, investigations about the spread of the virus through pipes were also carried out when the SARS virus broke out in 2003.

COVID-19 Outbreak updates Country: IndonesiaData

1,024,298

Confirmed

831,330

Recovered

28,855

DeathDistribution Map

Scheme of spread of the virus via plumbing

Before the spread of the COVID-19 virus, an investigation carried out in an apartment called Amoy Gardens found that the transmission of the SARS virus was likely due to leaking water pipes in the toilet.

This can happen because the SARS type corona virus can enter feces or other feces. The pipes that carry the waste are built closed and separate.

When the pipe leaks, the droplets expose people to it. Later, the remaining dirt containing the virus can become an aerosol that will spread into the surrounding air.

Another cause is the damage to the U pipe in the drain in the toilet or sink. Usually the drain in the toilet has a U-shaped pipe that functions to hold water which will block microbes and bacteria that come out of the stool. This shape also prevents bacteria in the pipes from getting out and polluting the toilet.

This pipe is connected to a drain pipe that will sweep waste from toilets, sinks and other waterways. The exhaust pipe must be ventilated to ensure gases and odors from the ducts are carried out. The ventilation pipe will also provide pressure to keep the waste flowing.

Meanwhile, in the case of SARS transmission at Amoy Gardens, the U pipe connected to the channel is empty so that the pipe cannot get rid of feces.

As a result, the gas and dirt that is not wasted can be trapped in the U pipe and make it into the dwelling and spread the virus.

The spread of the virus through water pipes is a concern

Indeed, the cases of the spread of the COVID-19 and SARS viruses through water pipes cannot necessarily be equated. Transmission in this way is also not a common thing. The most common mode of transmission of COVID-19 is through droplets or particles produced when someone coughs or sneezes.

However, the condition of a damaged sanitary pipe can also increase a person's chances of being infected. The condition of inadequate pipes has been a contributor to the spread of SARS in residential buildings in Hong Kong.

Therefore, maintenance by reviewing and updating standards in building practice and sewage systems is very important.

The community is expected to consider environmental hygiene factors and choose a design that is in accordance with standards in order to control transmission of virus diseases.

Moreover, the bathroom is one of the places where various types of germs gather. The germs are also spread in several parts of the bathroom, such as the surface of the sink and toilet. Maybe you can still take precautions by cleaning the bathroom regularly.

Another thing, if you go to a public toilet, no one can guarantee that the toilet is really clean and free of germs. Here are some precautions so that you can minimize exposure to infectious diseases:

• Wash your hands properly before and after each shower.
• Cover your hands with a tissue when you turn off the tap, open the door, and touch the toilet flush button.
• Clean the toilet seat briefly with a tissue and coat it with new paper towels
• Use a hand dryer without sticking your hands to the dryer net as this will contaminate your hands.