The CDC has updated its guidance for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said Monday at the White House COVID-19 Response Team briefing.
The science has shown that people can get infected via contaminated surfaces, but the risk is low, Walensky said. Regular cleaning of homes and other places with soap or detergent works. Disinfection is often not necessary.
"Disinfection is only recommended in indoor settings, schools and homes where there has been a suspected or confirmed case of Covid-19, within the last 24 hours," Walensky said.
In most cases, fogging, fumigation and electrostatic spraying is not recommended as a primary method of disinfection, and actually carries several safety risks.
Surface transmission can also be reduced by wearing masks correctly and proper handwashing, she said.
