The Union Health Ministry has warned all States against use of N95 masks with valved respirator, saying these can be detrimental as the valves do not prevent the virus from escaping out of the mask.
The Ministry has prescribed the use of home-made protective cover described on the website of the ministry. Prof (Dr) Rajiv Garg, Director General of Health Services, issued the directive in a letter to the health secretaries of all States on Monday.
“It has been observed that there is an inappropriate use of the N95 mask (particularly with valved respirator) by the public other than designated health workers. In this regard, I would like to draw your attention to the advisory on the use of home-made protective cover for face and mouth available on the website of the MoHFW,” the letter said.
“It is to bring to your knowledge that the use of valved respirator N95 masks is detrimental to the measures adopted for preventing the spread of the coronavirus as it does not prevent the virus from escaping out of the mask,” as per the letter.