South Australian scientists are working on a unique clinical trial – using ultraviolet (UV) light as a way to treat the air and combat COVID-19 in aged care settings.
Most control efforts in residential care up to this point have focused on preventative measures like social distancing, personal protective equipment (PPE) and hand hygiene.
But scientists now want to measure the impact of actions like installing UV light sources into air conditioning units, which they hope damage viral particles in the air, and theoretically could be used as a further measure to keep COVID-19 out of homes.
The clinical trial has secured $1.3 million in federal funding as South Australian Health and Medical Institute (SAHMRI) molecular microbiologist Geraint Rogers says, it’s all about boosting protection for those who are most at risk.
“We’ve seen in Australia and globally that when COVID-19 outbreaks occur in these facilities they’re really catastrophic,” Professor Rogers told the ABC.
“We want to see if we can find ways to more effectively protect people in aged care.”
Professor Rogers also noted necessary precautions would be taken to ensure aged care residents at the facilities being tested weren’t put at risk.
“UV damages nucleic acids, RNA and DNA, and that’s why we use it to kill viruses. In Australia, we know it can damage ourselves as well, that’s why we get sunburn,” he said.
“We are placing these units within closed ducted systems, or very high in the air column, to make sure there’s absolutely no potential for people to be exposed.”
We will keep you posted on the results.
