HEALTH and care organisations are urging people to do the right thing for family, friends and the community by regularly washing their hands to protect against serious viruses.
They say this year the global Covid-19 pandemic has been a stark reminder that the most effective way to stop the spread of potentially deadly viruses and to save lives is good hand hygiene.
Frequent hand washing can stop the spread of bacteria, dirt and viruses to objects and other people, including vulnerable members of society.
This is why health and care organisations are supporting Global Hand Washing Day, today, Thursday, October 15, and International Infection Prevention Week (October 18-24), as well as using the events as an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of effective hand washing all year round.
This year’s Global Hand Washing Day theme, Hand Hygiene for All, calls for all of society to achieve worldwide hand hygiene.
Therefore, local health experts we are asking everyone in Solihull to ensure they are regularly washing their hands, with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, for the following reasons:
Regularly throughout the day to reduce viral contamination on hands
After using the toilet or changing a nappy
Before and after handling raw foods like meat and vegetables
Before eating or handling food
After blowing your nose, sneezing or coughing
Before and after treating a cut or wound
After touching animals, including pets, their food and after cleaning their cages
George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust’s Medical Director, Catherine Free, said: “Winter has historically been a tough period for healthcare organisations as demand for our services increases.
“However, as we move into this winter we have the new added challenge of Covid-19.
Therefore, to ensure we can care for the people that need us the most we are urging our local population to look after themselves this winter by regularly washing their hands.
“Not only will this help to protect you and your loved ones from flu, Covid-19, Norovirus and other winter bugs it will also help to protect the vulnerable people within our society, who if they contracted a virus or infection are less able to fight it.”
