In the wake of the global outbreak of coronavirus, scientists at the Department of Biotechnology of the University for Development Studies (UDS) have cautioned the public against touching surfaces, while observing basic hygienic practices such as regular hand washing.
The scientists have discovered that, even television remote controls in hotels are not safe from dangerous microbial organisms.
The scientists sampled one hundred remote controls from twenty hotels and guest houses in the Tamale metropolis and found ninety nine of them, representing ninety nine percent contaminated with E coli, a bacteria found in fecal matter and its presence on remote controls according to the scientists, indicates that avoiding handshakes alone is not enough in preventing dangerous microorganisms like the coronavirus.
Dr. Courage Sabah who led the laboratory analysis of the remote controls advised hotels to disinfect all surfaces including remote controls after a client checks out.
“Hotels are one of the first points of contact by visitors, it is therefore necessary to take precaution and sanitise things they might have come into contact with, before checking a new client in,” he emphasised.
According to Dr. Sabah advised the public to observe basic hygiene and wash hands regularly to avoid sickness
Story by: Murtala Issah
