Explainer: WHO releases latest COVID-19 face mask guidelines
- The World Health Organisation has issued new guidelines over the use of face masks
- With the world still battling COVID-19, face masks have been lauded as a protective measure against the virus
- Now, new research has shown that masks are not effective when not used in conjunction with other preventative measures
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The World Health Organisation has released the newest information regarding the use of face masks during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The organisation revealed that wearing a mask alone is not enough to effectively safeguard against the virus.
With global infections now sitting at over 6.8 million and fatalities rising to 398 000 while over 3.3 million people have managed to recover.
Speaking during a media briefing in Geneva, Switzerland, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus explained that masks should be used along with other preventative measures.
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These measures include religious hand hygiene and practising social distancing, with Ghebreyesus explaining that:
“In areas with community transmission, we advise that people aged 40 years or over or those with underlying conditions should wear a medical mask in situations where physical distancing is not possible.
Tedros revealed that failing to use masks properly could result in users unintentionally infecting themselves:
People can potentially infect themselves if they use contaminated hands to adjust a mask or to repeatedly take it off and put it on without cleaning hands in between. Masks can also create a false sense of security. Masks are only of benefit as part of a comprehensive approach in the fight against COVID-19.”
Meanwhile, YEN.com.gh reported that South Africa has recorded 43 434 Covid-19 infections. Dr. Zweli Mkhize confirmed the sharp increase and that the virus has claimed 908 lives.
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Source: YEN.com.gh
