PREPAREDNESS, PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF COVID-19 IN PRISONS AND OTHER PLACES OF DETENTION 32 Cleaning and disinfection of reusable equipment • clean and disinfect any reusable non-invasive care equipment, such as blood pressure monitors, digital thermometers and glucometers, that are in the room prior to their removal • clean all reusable equipment systematically from the top or furthest away point. Carpeted flooring and soft furnishings If carpeted floors/items cannot withstand chlorine-releasing agents, consult the manufacturer’s instructions for a suitable alternative to use, following or combined with detergent cleaning. On leaving the room • discard detergent/disinfectant solutions safely at disposal point • all waste from suspected contaminated areas should be removed from the room and discarded as medical waste as per the facility guideline for medical waste • clean, dry and store reusable parts of cleaning equipment, such as mop handles • remove and discard personal protective equipment (PPE) as medical waste • perform hand hygiene. Cleaning of communal areas If a suspected case spent time in a communal area, then these areas should be cleaned with detergent and disinfectant (as above) as soon as practicably possible, unless there has been a blood/body fluid spill, which should be dealt with immediately. Once cleaning and disinfection have been completed, the area can be put back in use. Decontamination of vehicles following a transfer of a possible case Any vehicle used to transport a possible case should be cleaned and disinfected (using the methods outlined above for environmental cleaning following a possible case) as soon as possible before it is brought back into service.