Add the novel coronavirus to the list of things that can be effectively pulverized by a laser blast.
A research team, working with a laser manufacturer, found that light at specific wavelengths can do serious damage to either the RNA or protein structures within COVID-19.
Although senior living and care facilities may not have the budget for some tech innovations, new UV-light disinfection tools are becoming available that can help render community spaces sterile and virus-free.
“Our work provides fundamental evidence that helps understand molecular targets of UVC wavelengths and dosage requirements for high throughput disinfection systems and devices to prevent the transmission and spread of airborne diseases, including COVID-19,” the study authors explained.
COVID remains a threat to long-term care residents, particularly in winter, as older adults remain at greater risk for more severe symptoms and new COVID strains take advantage of a lag in vaccine or booster adoption. Community spaces, such as nursing homes and senior living communities, are inherently more conducive to transmitting airborne or surface disease.
As of last month, approximately 30% of nursing home residents were up to date on COVID shots, according to data collected by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Some operators have turned to UV light systems for help since the start of the pandemic period. Over the past year, reports about the effectiveness of UV-light disinfection systems have been mixed.
Although it depends on the actual wavelength, using a UVC light system to kill germs was no more effective than more conventional sanitation practices, such as washing hands, one recent study showed.
The last study, which called out UVC wands, suggested that they also could produce harmful radiation. Indeed, using some UV air filtration systems could merely be swapping out germs for other harmful particulates like ozone, McKnight’s reported last year.
That doesn’t mean, however, that the jury is out. One study that began last summer is conducting a long-term assessment of ceiling-mounted UV lights in long-term care facilities and whether they can more effectively remove COVID from the environment.
Another promising technology, a light-striking robot manufactured by Xenex, received US Food and Drug Administration clearance last fall and even inspired a new FDA classification for such robotic disinfection devices.
