Is India heading towards the second wave of Covid-19? Can UVGI reduce this risk?

Although there has been a marked slowdown in the new COVID-19 cases reported daily, experts say it is too early to heave a sigh of relief. The threat of a second wave still persists and the next four weeks are crucial, they say. The waning COVID-19 pandemic appears to be taking a U-turn in India with an increase in the daily cases to 15,000 cases in the last 24 hours, an indication of a second wave of infection setting in.
A study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health titled –Exploratory Analysis of Demographic Factors and the Temporal Evolution of COVID-19 in India—suggested that highly urbanized states including Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu are vulnerable during the current pandemic with incoming data from India further showing that hyper-urbanized cities like Mumbai and Delhi are hit hardest, requiring additional health infrastructure sustainability amid challenges in the social environment. Public health experts have warned that the evolving pandemic may pan out in the second wave of infections considering several factors.

What is the second wave?

A second wave means a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases after there has been a decline. It has already happened in China where cluster infection has been reported recently even after weeks of no new cases being diagnosed. It is possible that other countries including India will also witness a similar trajectory. As the lockdown is slowly being relaxed, people have started going out. All economic activities are resuming. More and more people are joining their workplaces. Shopping centres and shops are open and thousands flock to stores to make essential and non-essential purchases. Movie theatres and malls, too are attracting crowds. COVID-19 appropriate behaviour and protocols are slipping, and people are throwing caution to the winds.

“Different variants of the virus are floating around in various parts of the world. In India, we have had a crore of lab confirmed cases so a lot of viruses are in circulation. The larger the number of viruses, the more are the chances of new variants emerging. Moreover, immunity after exposure is of doubtful strength and duration. We still have a large population uninfected by the virus,” said Lalit Kant, a scientist and former head of epidemiology and communicable diseases at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

Can the second wave in India be minimized? How?

A recent study from the Queen Mary University of London and Leeds Beckett University has shown that UVGI Air Purification which is already being used to prevent the spread of other airborne diseases in buildings, has the potential to be effective against COVID-19. The research, published in the journal Peer, found that UV germicidal irradiation (UVGI) in offices can kill SARS-CoV-2 virus particles, which can be transmitted by aerosolised droplets that float in the air. It is now becoming widely accepted that transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles through tiny respiratory droplets, is one of the main ways COVID-19 spreads between people in offices and other premises. The risk of airborne transmission is especially high in poorly ventilated buildings and there is an urgent need for technologies to reduce the spread of COVID-19 within these spaces. ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers) also recommends that office and commercial building managers and owners consider UVGI (ultraviolet germicidal irradiation) to minimize the risk of a second wave.

How do Ultraviolet Germicidal Lights (UVGI) clean the air?

Ultraviolet (UV) germicidal lights produce short wavelength light (or radiation) that can damage the genetic material in the nucleus of cells of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and molds. The cells may be killed or made unable to reproduce. With extended exposure, UV germicidal irradiation (UVGI) can also break down the particles that have deposited on an irradiated surface. Plastics, human skin, and eyes can also be damaged by UV light. Alfaa UV’s UVGI systems are designed with the purpose to kill or deactivate the bacteria and viruses within small airborne particles that sometimes cause infectious diseases.

Alfaa UV’s UltraCoil and UltraDuct UVGI systems can also be installed in the ducts of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and irradiate the small airborne particles containing microorganisms as the air flows through the ducts. Often, UVGI systems in ducts also direct UV light at the cooling coils and drain pans of air conditioning systems. Irradiating the cooling coils and drain pans can dramatically reduce mold and bacteria growth on the often-wet surfaces of cooling coils and drain pans, or destroy the microbial films that previously accumulated on the irradiated surfaces. Much of the research on the health benefits of UVGI has been performed in health care settings such as hospitals, including tuberculosis wards in hospitals. Other study sites have included barracks, schools, offices, and homes.

Benefits of Alfaa  UVGI for HVAC

• Elimination of pathogens – UVGI in HVAC systems can help eliminate up to 99.9% of viruses and kills up to 90% of certain airborne bacteria passing through the air system, including Coronaviruses.
• IAQ– by improving the airflow and eliminating organic material, as shown above, UVGI will improve the indoor air quality (IAQ), by reducing both odours and pathogens.  As a result, since we are talking about cleaning your office’s air, this will lead to better productivity, higher levels of comfort, and fewer sick days. During COVID-19, it spells the difference between cross-contamination and substantially reduced infections in air conditioned spaces.
• Economic impact– this means less energy consumption as well as paying less for that same energy and, of course, a smaller carbon footprint.
• Third-party validation – Highly recommended by credible organizations like the US Government and the Air Institute of Respiratory Education, for killing microbes and improving Indoor Air Quality.

Testimonial By Fortis Hospitals

“We are pleased to confirm that we are using Alfaa UVGI system in our HVAC/Duct. Manufactured & supplied by Alfaa UV. The entire system was designed and supplied as per our standard in March 2016. We are happy to share that the supplied UVGI system is working satisfactory as per our expectations. The product is well backed up by the technical service team.” Says Mr. Ganesh Waghmare, Dy. Manager Engg. Project & Maint. Fortis Hospitals

Click on the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wym12UHX1Fk  to see UVGI in Asia’s largest HVAC installation is helping to fight COVID-19 in the healthcare sector. The UltraCoil & UltraDuct UVGI system not only fights viruses to create safer spaces but also ensures cleaner cooling coils, resulting in greater efficiency and lower running and maintenance costs. You may contact us on 9833516650 / 8879336026 or Visit us at https://www.alfaauv.com/products/uvgi-air-disinfection/