Cleaning versus disinfecting
Cleaning: Removes germs, dirt and impurities from surfaces or objects. Cleaning works by using soap (or detergent) and water to physically remove germs from surfaces. This process does not necessarily kill germs, but lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.
Disinfecting: Kills germs on surfaces or objects. Disinfecting works by using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces or objects. It does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection.
- COVID-19 symptomatic persons cause the majority of transmission. This is why it’s important to stay home if you are sick.
- Person-to-person transmission mostly occurs via infectious respiratory droplets:
- Large respiratory droplets containing the virus from an infected person’s cough/sneeze/vivid talking can enter a person's eyes, nose or mouth.
- A person touches a virus-contaminated surface or object and then proceeds to touch their eyes, nose and mouth.