Leicester university finds coronavirus survives on healthcare uniforms for up to three days
A microbiologist recommends that all uniforms are washed in hospital or by industrial laundry
Dr Katie Laird (right) has conducted research into wash processes of healthcare uniforms (Image: De Montfort University)
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As part of the new research, the scientists also looked at what was the “most reliable wash method for removing the virus”.
Using 100% cotton, the most commonly used healthcare textile, the team carried out a number of tests using different water temperatures and washing methods, including domestic machines, industrial machines, those on hospital premises and an ozone wash system.
The results showed that the agitation and dilution effect of the water in all of the washing machines tested was enough to remove the virus, the team said.
However, when the researchers mimicked the risk of transmission from an infected person’s mouth by soiling the fabrics with an artificial saliva containing the virus, they found domestic machines did not fully remove the virus and that some traces survived.
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