Coronavirus Impact
In light of the global Coronavirus outbreak, Public Health England has issued advice to the public on how to deal with potentially infectious waste. Whilst current experts have stated that the process of waste disposal is largely ‘business as usual’, the demand for these products have soared, much like PPE. This means that it has been more difficult for treatment centres and hospitals to follow the waste guidelines appropriately as their suppliers have struggled to fulfil demand. At J W Products, we have made it a priority to ensure that our customers are receiving the exact number of products that are needed, as and when, in order to ensure hospitals are able to safely and securely dispose of infectious waste.
Public Health England recommends all waste that has been in contact with any self-isolated individual should be double-bagged and tied to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The waste should not be disposed of or put out for collection until it is known the potential patient does not have Covid-19.
The Public Health England advice reads: “Waste from possible cases and cleaning of areas where possible cases have been (including disposable cloths, tissues, and masks if worn) should be put in a plastic rubbish bag and tied when full. The plastic bag should then be placed in a second bin bag and tied.”
Further advice has been issued for the public and for hospitals on what to do with the bags once full. PHE has said: “It should be put in a suitable and secure place and marked for storage until the individual’s test results are known.
Waste bags should be double bagged and secured with a tie.
“If the individual test is negative, this can be put in with the normal waste.
“If the individual tests positive, then place bags in orange or yellow containers or bags and arrange disposal as category B waste.”
Samples of materials such as blood, tissue, excreta and secreta collected from humans or animals are classified as category B infectious waste.
The government health agency also warned that waste should only be collected by those authorised to do so. It said: “Arrangements need to be made for collection by an appropriate organisation (for example a licensed waste contractor
acting on behalf of the local authority).”
Public Health England’s advice can be read in full here.
