Reopening of schools
Millions of children in India face a challenging academic future due to COVID-19. Approximately 30 million children lack access to digital devices for online education, as reported by the Indian Ministry of Education. The eastern state of Bihar alone reported nearly 14 million children without access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Despite efforts to provide remote education, only a minority of students could access lessons during the lockdown, leading to potential learning losses. Ultraviolet (UV) germicidal irradiation (UVGI) is a method schools can use to reduce or eliminate microorganisms before they can infect students.
As COVID-19 cases decline, many states in India plan to reopen schools after the Diwali festival, following a 20-month closure due to the pandemic.
Given the rise of COVID-19 variants and the inability of children under 12 to receive the vaccine, it is crucial to implement a robust strategy. While hand washing and mask-wearing are crucial, they are insufficient on their own. The CDC recommends incorporating UVGI disinfection to help inactivate SARS-CoV-2. UVGI disinfection devices are effective in disinfecting air and surfaces from various pathogens, making them essential for keeping schools open safely.
India has a vast education system, with over 250 million school-going students and a large network of higher education institutions. As of May 17, 2021, the number of universities in India reached 988, with 37.4 million students enrolled in higher education in 2018-19.
The CDC emphasizes the need for a multilayered prevention and disinfection program to ensure the safety of students and faculty. The CDC released guidelines prioritizing safe return to in-person instruction in 2021.
To achieve this, educational institutions must address ventilation challenges and utilize UVGI air filtration systems equipped with high-capacity UVGI and MERV filters to reduce the risk of airborne infections and maintain a safe environment.
UVGI Applications for Infection Control in Schools and Universities
Bacteria and viruses can spread rapidly in educational settings due to close proximity. UV germicidal irradiation (UVGI) can help reduce or eliminate microorganisms before they infect others, with UV-C light capable of killing up to 99.99 percent of microorganisms. UVGI can be applied through portable or installed lights and HVAC coil irradiation.
Surface Disinfection with UVGI
Microorganisms can enter the school environment through various means, including surface contact. UVGI technology can help reduce the likelihood of transmission, providing effective surface disinfection. This technology has been successful in hospitals and can be used with portable or installed UVC lights to eliminate microorganisms from surfaces throughout the facility.
