The March issue of the JHI features a Special Section on 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) which is headed by a review of the persistence of coronaviruses on inanimate surfaces and their inactivation by biocidal agents. This is followed by an overview of the current situation in this rapidly evolving outbreak by Khan et al and an outline of the approach taken in Hong Kong by Cheng et al. The JHI is also pleased to present special sections on Environmental Cleanliness and Surgical Site Infection in this issue. The environmental section includes an important study of the additional costs associated with patient isolation for infection prevention from Norway. Within the surgical site infection section Teo et al present interesting data on the controversial topic of laminar flow ventilation for arthroplasty, demonstrating no difference in infection rates in their series. Alongside these themed sections the JHI is please to present the Lowbury Lecture 2019 from Petra Gastmeier which articulates the persuasive arguments for personalized infection prevention over a ‘one size fits all’ approach.