Health

THE Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says that following evolving evidence on the transmission of COVID-19, the World Health Organization, WHO, provided recommendations for the wearing of face masks by the general public. This is especially important where there is ongoing widespread transmission and physical distancing is difficult, such as in public transport, markets, and confined or crowded environments.

In Nigeria, the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 mandated the use of face masks or coverings in public spaces, on the 27th of April 2020.

 

The NCDC published advisories on the use of face masks and guidance on making cloth masks, saying that the use of face masks for COVID-19 prevention is important, as recent studies indicate that a significant proportion of people who have COVID-19 do not show symptoms, asymptomatic, and the virus can spread before these people know that they are sick, presymptomatic. SARS-CoV-2 which causes the coronavirus disease, can spread from person-to-person through respiratory droplets, often through speaking, coughing or

sneezing.  There is evidence that the correct use of face masks reduces the risk of COVID-

19 infection.

 

It noted that an increasing number of people in Nigeria are now using face shields, in the place of face masks, as they become more widely available. Face shields are generally used in health care settings by medical professionals to provide barrier protection to the facial area, including the eyes, nose and lips. Even in healthcare settings, face shields are not meant to function as primary respiratory protection to prevent infection.

 

Face shields are used in combination with surgical mask or N95 mask by health workers for maximum protection during invasive procedures such as intubation.

There are no published studies on the effectiveness of face shields against COVID-19 in

non-healthcare settings.

 

The NCDC therefore offerst he following guidance to Nigerians on the appropriate use of face masks

and face shields:

Face masks are very important in helping to limit the spread of COVID-19,

especially in situations where physical distancing may be difficult, such as on

public transportation, markets and in areas where there is a significant

amount of community transmission.

 

For effective protection, face shields are used in combination with an

appropriate face mask in healthcare settings.

 

There is currently limited to no evidence on the effectiveness of face shields

to prevent COVID-19 when used alone by the general public in non-healthcare settings.

 

There is currently no guidance provided by the WHO or other relevant public

health authority that recommends the use of face shields in non-healthcare

settings to prevent COVID-19.

 

“Given the limited evidence on the effectiveness of face shields in protecting people from

COVID-19 infection in community settings, and the absence of recommendations on their

use, by the WHO and other public health authorities, face shields alone should not be

used in preventing the spread of the COVID-19 infection. When used, it should be done

in combination with an appropriate face mask.

 

“It is important to remember that currently, no single intervention even when properly

used, provides complete protection from COVID-19 infection. Therefore, the use of face

masks or face shields with face masks should be combined with other public health and

social measures as announced by the Federal/State Ministries of Health and the Nigeria

Centre for Disease Control. This includes maintaining a distance of two metres between

you and the next person, frequent handwashing with soap and running water or use of

an alcohol-based hand sanitizer and avoiding public gatherings.

 

“The NCDC will continue to update its recommendations as knowledge about COVID-19

Evolves,” the statement said.

– Jun. 29, 2020 @ 10:35 GMT |

Tags: NCDC issues advisory on use of face shields with face masks