The government suspect that one person in the Christchurch managed isolation contracted covid -19 from a rubbish bin.
On September 19th one person in a Christchurch isolation facility tested positive for Covid -19 and spend 14 days in isolation.
After the 14 days and testing negative twice, the person flew from Christchurch to Auckland on September the 11th and infected one other person on the flight.
So how did this happen?
Through contact tracing, the ministry of health believes that the first person that tested negative twice before leaving isolation contracted the sickness at the end of their stay through touching a rubbish bin in the quarantine facility.
Dr Caroline McElnay, the director of public health states “While we cannot be certain, our hypothesis is that the virus may have been transmitted to a person … via the surface of a rubbish bin, which was used by another returnee who was likely infectious at the facility.”
The cc footage at the isolation facility has shown that the rubbish bin was the common source of contact between the two people before one of them left isolation.
An intense investigation found that no other person has been infected on the flight or by the two flight cases in the community.
While this case is unique and happened in isolation, reminders of hand hygiene is being emphasised more and more.
So how does this affect you?
While you may think no one touches your private rubbish bin when you place it on the curb, this may not be the case. Many people can walk pass and touch your rubbish bin without your knowledge.
Therefore, it is important to sanitize your inside and outside bins with disinfectant wipes or spray. On top of this, washing your hands after you touch your rubbish bin is important to prevent the spread of germs.
Likewise, avoid touching the surface of public waste bins when throwing away your rubbish when out and about.
Remember if everyone washes their hands, the spread of covis-19 will decrease significantly.
