7 August 2020 - - US-based UV technology-based infection prevention strategies and solutions specialist Xenex Disinfection Services has launched of Trend, a wastewater and environmental surface detection test for SARS-CoV-2 (the COVID-19 virus), the company said.

Surfaces contaminated with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes COVID-19, pose a threat to the safety of healthcare providers, schools, office workers, and essential businesses, who face the risk of contracting COVID-19 in their workplace.

Environmental transmission through shedding from asymptomatic carriers is responsible for the spread of COVID-19 in certain environments. While these individuals may not feel sick, they can still shed the virus into the environment and cause COVID-19 infection in other people.

In response, US-based Xenex Disinfection Services has launched of Trend.

Testing with Trend is ideal for high traffic locations to help companies validate and monitor their cleaning processes.

Ideal surface testing environments include front desks/reception areas, nurse stations, waiting rooms, breakrooms, and conference rooms. Wastewater sampling is available for municipalities, nursing homes, and universities.

Testing will help identify areas that may require deep cleaning, or it may determine that infection prevention protocols are sufficient and no further reinforcement is required.

Xenex is working exclusively with Industrial Genetics, a Central Texas-based biotechnology startup company which developed the proprietary genetic testing technology that identifies the virus.

With consultation from Xenex's scientific team about where and how to conduct the testing (utilizing Industrial Genetics' proprietary test), organizations provide a sample of wastewater and/or surface swabs for testing to determine the amount of viral load that exists in the sample.

All samples are analyzed on CDC recommended equipment approved by the FDA under the Emergency Use Authorization. Customers receive a report within two to three business days once samples are received at the lab.

Testing frequency can be designed to meet an organization's needs. Testing kits can include one, three, 10 or 20 swabs (one swab per surface) and they can be ordered periodically (weekly, bi-weekly) if periodic surveillance is desired.

Organizations that find SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces within their building or in their wastewater may consider using Xenex's LightStrike Germ-Zapping Robots to quickly disinfect rooms and areas within the affected facility.

The LightStrike pulsed xenon disinfection robot is the only UV room disinfection technology proven to deactivate SARS-CoV-2, and it achieved a 99.99% level of disinfection in two minutes.

The SARS-CoV-2 testing results were recently peer-reviewed and published in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology. Different pathogens are susceptible to UVC light at different wavelengths.

With broad spectrum (200-315nm) germicidal UV light, LightStrike robots quickly deactivate viruses, bacteria and spores where they are most vulnerable without damaging materials or equipment.

Xenex is in UV technology-based infection prevention strategies and solutions. Xenex's mission is to save lives and reduce suffering by destroying the deadly microorganisms that cause hospital acquired infections.

Xenex is backed by investors that include EW Healthcare Partners, Piper Jaffray, Malin Corp., Battery Ventures, Targeted Technology Fund II, Tectonic Ventures and RK Ventures.

Founded in 2020 amidst the onset of a global pandemic, Industrial Genetics, LLC was formed to help people mitigate risk and evaluate appropriate solutions to prevent the spread of the novel SARS-CoV-2 pathogen.

The central Texas-based company provides the highest quality and most efficient diagnostic tools for molecular testing so that solutions can be discovered with clients around the globe. This promotes awareness and provides education in our community.