MOUTHWASH may kill coronavirus and could be used to stop its spread, a new study suggests.
Transmission of Covid-19 through saliva droplets may be reduced if people use mouthwashes containing an antiseptic that kills bacteria, the preliminary research shows.
Mouthwashes that contain cetylpyridinium chloride could help halt the infection rate – since the chemical has a ‘virucidal effect’ that can kill 99.9 per cent of pathogens in the mouth, according to the Telegraph.
Prof Valerie O’Donnell, co-director of the Systems Immunity Research Institute at Cardiff University, said the study was promising, but that further research is needed.
The study, yet to be peer-reviewed, was carried out by researchers from Unilever, the multinational consumer goods company.
Meanwhile, Boris Johnson is set to roll out mass weekly testing to three more towns after Liverpool’s trial last week.
The aim of mass testing is to identify people who may be carrying the virus and passing it on without realising it – so that asymptomatic people can self-isolate.
One of the three towns where the testing will soon be available is in the Midlands, while another is set to be in the south of England.
If the scheme is successful – it will help Boris stick to his pledge to let England out of the national lockdown by December 2.
England was plunged back into a national lockdown on Thursday, while deaths linked to coronavirus continue to rise.
Yesterday, another 413 people have died with Covid – 50 per cent higher than this time last week, when 275 people lost their lives.
Despite the rising tide of fatalities, some experts say the UK is already past the peak of the second wave – and should be in “good shape” by December.
Daily infections are down on a week ago, while the national R-rate also remains stable across the last seven days.
The findings will be a major boost to Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s hopes of ending the lockdown in four weeks.
The shutdown has closed all non-essential businesses, including clothes shops, pubs and restaurants.
