Due to the increase in the number of cases of Sars-Cov-2 coronavirus, MPO Kraków has once again started cleaning the urban space with the use of disinfectant liquid. Work focuses on sidewalks and squares, pedestrian crossings, and stops – places where there are usually more people. Street baskets, handrails of various types, and benches are also disinfected.
The disinfecting liquid is safe for residents and animals. The employees of MPO Kraków use protective clothing due to the long-term work with this agent – temporary contact is completely safe. We ask residents for cooperation and understanding – so that MPO employees can efficiently disinfect, please move away from the cleaned surface. The disinfection action will continue until further notice.
Krakow City Hall
Some locations will be disinfected more frequently!
Depending on traffic and current needs, the frequency of disinfection will vary – from once a day to once a week. Public places with high pedestrian traffic throughout the city will be disinfected, including public transport stops, sidewalks, bus loops, larger transfer points, underground passages and footbridges, containers for selective waste collection, pharmacy surroundings with entrances, street bins in the garbage.
As reported in the office, the disinfection and ozonation action of buses and trams of the City Transport in Krakow is carried out without any changes.
The disinfection of the city and restrictions on the movement of residents bring positive effects in the fight against SARS-CoV-2. This is confirmed by scientists from the Małopolska Center of Biotechnology of the Jagiellonian University.
The magistracy notes
Analysis of the urban space contamination with the SARS-CoV-2 virus run by the Małopolska Center of Biotechnology of the Jagiellonian University
Scientists from the Małopolska Center of Biotechnology of the Jagiellonian University under the supervision of prof. Wojciech Branicki, dr hab. Eng. Paweł Łabaj and prof. Krzysztof Pyrć, in the spring of last year, conducted an analysis of urban space contamination with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Thanks to the cooperation with the city, samples for testing were collected by city guards from places with heavy traffic. Swabs from flat surfaces came, for example, from ATMs and ticket machines located at bus stops, e.g. at pl. All Saints, Mogilskie roundabout, Bagatela Theater, Nowy Kleparz, Mały Płaszów loop and shopping malls.
“The determination of the genetic material of SARS CoV 2 virus was performed using the genetic test “Real-Time Fluorescent RT-PCR Kit for Detecting SARS-2019-nCoV” from BGI Genomics Co. Ltd. This test is very sensitive as it is able to detect even single copies of the virus. It is used, among others in Germany to test samples from patients” – explains Paweł Łabaj, co-author of the study, and adds that although the determinations were qualitative, not quantitative, the characteristics of the results indicate the presence of several or a dozen copies of the virus in the samples taken, not several hundred or more.
Research results and actions taken
As research has shown, in mid-March 2020, over 40% of the samples could find the genetic material of the virus. “The highest percentage of positive results was observed on the first day of the project. The material was collected and accumulated on the surfaces for several days” – explains Łabaj.
In the following weeks, the data were more and more optimistic, and at the beginning of April 2020, only one sample on a given day was positive in subsequent downloads. “We do not see any location having positive results. The virus appears incidentally when a sick person appears in a specific place and is not constantly present in public space”, emphasizes the scientist from the Małopolska Center of Biotechnology of the Jagiellonian University.
The authors of the research emphasize that the virus was therefore detected in the initial monitoring period, but the steps taken by the city, including the disinfection of public spaces, brought the expected results. The authors of the research also remind you to disinfect your hands and avoid touching your face.
Read the article in Polish language, in Gazeta Krakowska, here.
Yours truly,
The Twisted Red LadyBug
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