Microbiologist Dr Katie Laird, who led the study, said the materials, commonly used in healthcare uniforms, posed a transmission risk. The results showed polyester posed the highest transmission risk, with the virus still present after three days and with the ability to transfer to other surfaces. However, Dr Laird said guidance published at the start of the pandemic by Public Health England (PHE) and the NHS regarding uniform washing was based on “outdated literature”. She said: “This research has reinforced my recommendation that all healthcare uniforms should be washed on site at hospitals or at an industrial laundry. Dr Laird said textile and laundry associations around the world were using the study results in their guidance for healthcare laundering.

Source: The Nation February 24, 2021 14:03 UTC