WHO Seeks Continued Use Of Masks In Public Due To Surges In COVID-19

As part of the continuous processes of reviewing the global COVID-19 response, treatment, and management, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has stated that nose masks remain a key tool against COVID-19 and is continuing to recommend the use of masks by the public in specific situations. The use of nose masks is essential in the fight against COVID-19.

In a new update, the WHO recommends the use of masks irrespective of the local epidemiological situation, given the current spread of COVID-19 globally.

The WHO also updated its guidelines on mask-wearing in community settings, including treatments, patient care, and clinical management.

The global health body said that it is working with guideline development groups composed of independent, international experts who consider the latest available evidence and the changing epidemiology.

“Masks are recommended following a recent exposure to COVID-19, when someone has or suspects they have COVID-19 when someone is at high risk of severe COVID-19, and for anyone in a crowded, enclosed, or poorly ventilated space.”

The Agency argued that previously, its recommendations were based on the epidemiological situation.

Similar to previous recommendations, WHO advises that there are other instances when a mask may be suggested, based on a risk assessment. Factors to consider include local epidemiological trends or rising hospitalisation levels, vaccination coverage and immunity levels in the community, and the setting people find themselves in.

On isolation, WHO advises that a COVID-19 patient can be discharged from isolation early if they test negative on an antigen-based rapid test.

“Without testing, for patients with symptoms, the new guidelines suggest 10 days of isolation from the date of symptom onset. Previously, WHO advised that patients be discharged 10 days after symptom onset, plus at least three additional days since their symptoms had resolved.

For those who test positive for COVID-19 but do not have any signs or symptoms, WHO now suggests 5 days of isolation in the absence of testing, compared to 10 days previously.

Read Also: Data Is Necessary For COVID-19 Risk Assessments

Isolation of people with COVID-19 is important in preventing others from being infected. This can be done at home or at a dedicated facility, such as a hospital or clinic.

The evidence considered by the guideline development group showed that people without symptoms are much less likely to transmit the virus than those with symptoms. Although of very low certainty, evidence also showed that people with symptoms discharged on day 5 following symptom onset risk infecting three times more than those discharged on day 10.

In a review of COVID-19 treatment, the WHO has extended its strong recommendation for the use of nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (Paxlovid).

Nirmatrelvir-ritonavir was first recommended by WHO in April 2022 and the Agency strongly recommends its use in mild or moderate COVID-19 patients who are at high risk of hospitalisation

WHO also reviewed the evidence on sotrovimab and casirivimab-imdevimab, and maintains strong recommendations against their use for treating COVID-19. These monoclonal antibody medicines lack or have diminished activity against the current circulating virus variants.

There are currently 6 proven treatment options for patients with COVID-19, three that prevent hospitalisation in high-risk persons and three that save lives in those with the severe or critical disease. Except for corticosteroids, access to other drugs remains unsatisfactory globally.

Meanwhile, Nigeria recorded 29 fresh COVID-19 cases in the last week according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

In a statement weekend, the Centre noted that from 7th to 13th January 2023, 29 new confirmed cases were recorded in the country.

It stated, “To date, a total of 266,492 cases have been confirmed, 259,858 cases have been discharged and 3,155 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.”

According to the NCDC, 29 new cases are reported from six states with Lagos recording the highest number of cases (15), followed by the FCT (5), Kano (4), Nasarawa (3), Kaduna, and Plateau with 1 case each.

According to the statement, a multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC), activated at Level 2, continues to coordinate the national response activities.