The Department of Health is exploring innovative strategies to reduce the transmission of respiratory viruses in residential aged care facilities, such as COVID-19 and influenza, in a new project titled, ‘Effectiveness of germicidal ultraviolet Light in an Upper room Configuration In Decreasing COVID-19 in Aged-care Residential facilities (ELUCIDAR)’. The project is led by our Associate Director Research Programs & Transformation, Professor Jason Monty of The University of Melbourne.
As part of this work, we are continuing a clinical trial to see if upper room germicidal ultraviolet lighting can decrease levels of COVID-19 in Victorian residential aged care facilities.
Germicidal ultraviolet lights produce ultraviolet (UV) light in the ultraviolet-C (UVC) wavelength range (100-280 nm). This wavelength of light is invisible to the human eye.
In laboratory studies, this light has been shown to successfully inactivate bacteria and viruses. An inactivated virus particle is unable to invade and infect a human cell, thus preventing infection.
For more information how germicidal ultraviolet light – combatting airborne virus transmission works.
