From last year to now, the epidemic has changed our way of life. Working from home, quarantine, temporary unemployment, children taking early leave or schooling at home, and less seeing family, friends, and colleagues, many changes require us to adapt.
Since late December 2021, the epidemic in Hong Kong has worsened sharply after the Chinese New Year. On February 5, Hong Kong recorded 300 new positive test cases every day, setting an epidemic record; two days later, the number rose to 607; it exceeded 1,000 for the first time on February 9, and exceeded 2,000 on the 14th.
In the face of the pneumonia epidemic of new coronavirus infection, how should we conduct swab tests? How can we do personal protection in our daily life?
The new coronavirus is transmitted through the respiratory tract, and the pharynx is the place where such viruses gather more. Throat swab samples are medical cotton swabs, which are dipped in a small number of secretions from the pharynx of the human body, and the samples taken are throat swab samples. the virus type.
How can I do a swab test?
Cell medical (Dongguan) Co., Ltd., a professional VTM kits and swabs manufacturer, disposable swab tubes exporter, has many years of experience in medical application molding and flocking treatment heads and swabs.
When performing a swab test, we make the following recommendations to the sampler:
- Residents are encouraged to blow their noses to clear their nasal passages.
If residents cannot perform this task, wipe their nostrils with a flocked swab or tissue. - The Resident’s name, date of birth and time of collection are affixed to the vial.
- hand hygiene. Wear a mask, goggles and gloves.
- With the head in a neutral position, insert the dry swab from the nostril straight back (not upward) along the base of the nasal passage until it reaches the posterior wall of the nasopharynx—usually halfway from the corner of the nose to the front of the ear (about 4~4~ 6 cm or 1.6-2.5 inches).
- Gently swirl the flocked sampling swab and let it sit for a few seconds.
- Carefully remove the flocked swab without touching the sides of the nostrils.
- Open the virus sampling tube (VTM Tube) and place the swab in the transport medium.
- Break the flocked swab along with the swab Breakpoint and close the cap.
- Place the sample (viral sampling tube) in the inner bag of the plastic biohazard bag.
- Remove gloves for hand hygiene; remove masks for mouth hygiene.
- Complete the application form and place it in the small outer bag of the plastic biohazard bag.
- Place the entire plastic biohazard bag in a separate clean paper or ziplock bag.
- Refrigerated specimens.
- shipped to the laboratory.
How can we do personal protection in our daily life?
1. Wash your hands frequently and maintain good respiratory hygiene.
Wash your hands under running water with soap or hand sanitiser.
Practice good respiratory hygiene. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or towel when coughing or sneezing, wash your hands after coughing or sneezing, and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with your hands.
2. Enhance physical fitness and immunity, keep the environment clean and ventilated.
Enhance physical fitness and immunity, eat a balanced diet, exercise moderately, work and rest regularly, and avoid excessive fatigue.
Open windows for ventilation no less than 3 times a day, 20 to 30 minutes each time.
3. Minimize activities in crowded places and pay attention to symptoms.
Minimize activities in crowded places and avoid contact with patients with respiratory infections.
If you have respiratory symptoms such as cough, runny nose, and fever, you should isolate and rest at home, and seek medical attention as soon as possible if the fever persists or the symptoms worsen.
4. The role of handwashing in preventing respiratory tract-borne diseases.
Proper handwashing is one of the most effective measures to prevent diarrhea and respiratory infections. The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and other authorities recommend washing hands with soap and water (water).
5. What should I do if there is no clean water outside the trip and it is inconvenient to wash hands?
You can clean your hands with alcohol-based sanitisers. Coronaviruses are not acid and alkali resistant and are sensitive to organic solvents and disinfectants. 75% alcohol can inactivate viruses, so a certain concentration of alcohol disinfection products can be used as an alternative to soap and running water for handwashing.