CELL PHONE MEDIATED TRANSMISSION OF COVID-19?



It is no more news that the novel COVID-19 is now a pandemic with far reaching consequences. International flights are canceled, Shops, Malls, pubs, cinemas, schools, and religious houses are shut down. The world economies are struggling to keep afloat. Conversely, health facilities are inundated with patients!

Patients with varying severity of respiratory illnesses, often times necessitating intensive care have overwhelmed the available manpower and hospital materials. Test kits, masks, PPEs and ventilators have become luxury in the face of the growing pandemic. In the front line of this raging war are health care providers; doctors, nurses, lab scientists, etc. They no doubt put their lives at immense risk.

Risk taking is an inseparable part of the job of a medic. However, with necessary precautionary measures, such risks are obviated. Regular hand washing, use of hand sanitizers, face masks and PPEs are some of those measures. Although the disease is said to be mostly airborne, the news of the virus surviving for hours and up to a day or so on surfaces is quite complicating especially for health workers.

Workers in the health industry as well other workers use cell phones at work or during breaks. I am compelled to write this because I am particularly concerned about what I call 'Cell (phone) mediated transmission' of the virus. Cell phones are not usually cleaned and they are usually kept on surfaces that are often contaminated. What is the benefit of hand wash and use of hand sanitizers if our cell phones are contaminated? Our cell phones come way too close to our nostrils and mouths that we can't afford to overlook keeping them clean!

Clean cell phones may just reduce transmission of COVID-19 amongst health care workers and indeed the general population. Periodic cleaning of cell phones with alcohol swab and being conscious of surfaces where they are kept may change the tide. If you are in the Front line in this war, stay safe.


Dr Tobechi K. Njoku (MBBS, FMCOG)
Owerri, Nigeria
+2348037930177
tobechinjokumd@gmail.com