Doctor urges ultraviolet light to kill coronavirus in schools

A DOCTOR wants schools to use ultraviolet light to ‘kill coronavirus’ before pupils return to start the new term next month.

Dr Rhys Thomas, a consultant anaesthetist at Carmarthen’s Glangwili Hospital, said that Covid-19 is highly sensitive to UV-C light and believes it should be used to disinfect classrooms and buses.

The process would work by using ultraviolet light to kill or inactivate microorganisms, and therefore control their airborne transmission in high-risk settings.

Dr Thomas has already met with senior members of Carmarthenshire Council to advise them on the possible use of light radiation – which he said rapidly kills Covid-19 – and a pilot scheme is now under consideration.

Dr Thomas said it would be a cheap way to safeguard schools and that other parts of the world are already using it.

“This could be a game changer in making schools and transport much safer for pupils and staff alike,” he said.

“Teacher and pupil safety is imperative and parents must feel confident about sending their children back to school in a few weeks’ time.

“It would be a relatively cheap way of disinfecting classrooms and buses. Airlines and train companies in America and other parts of the world have already started using it.”

As well as in Carmarthenshire, other counties in Wales are keeping a close eye on developments, with pupils set to return to schools in the coming weeks.

Pembrokeshire councillor Michael Williams said: “If the pilot scheme in Carmarthenshire is successful, we should be investigating this as a matter of urgency. Following a presentation by

Dr Thomas, I’ve raised the matter with the director of education.”

Dr Thomas has a proven track record in the medical field in Wales, and has been at the forefront of the country’s battle against coronavirus.

Earlier this year he designed a non-invasive ventilator, which he developed alongside a company from Ammanford.

The CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine has been approved by the Welsh and UK Governments and is currently undergoing clinical trials.