COVID-19: WHO recommends respirator, other PPE for health workers

On Dec 23, 2021

The World Health Organisation -WHO has issued updated guidance for health workers, recommending the use of a respirator or a medical mask, in addition to other personal protective equipment, while entering a room where there is a patient with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.

Director General of the World Health Organisation, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in his opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 yesterday said, as Omicron becomes the dominant variant in many countries, everyone needs to take extra precautions.

He said, “Today, WHO is issuing updated guidance for health workers, recommending the use of either a respirator or a medical mask, in addition to other personal protective equipment, when entering a room where there is a patient with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.”

“Respirators, which include masks known as N95, FFP2 and others, should especially be worn in care settings where ventilation is known to be poor.”

“However, we are painfully aware that many health workers around the world are unable to access respirators.”

“We, therefore, ask manufacturers and countries to scale up the production, procurement and distribution of both respirators and medical masks for use in health and care settings.”

“It’s essential that all health workers have all the tools they need to do their jobs – the training, the PPE, the safe work environment, and the vaccines.”

The WHO chief lamented that a year since the first vaccines were administered, three in four health workers in Africa remain unvaccinated.

He said while some countries are now rolling out blanket booster programmes, only half of WHO’s member states have been able to reach the target of vaccinating 40 per cent of their populations by the end of the year, because of distortions in global supply.

“Enough vaccines were administered globally this year that the 40 percent target could have been reached in every country by September, if those vaccines had been distributed equitably, through COVAX and AVAT.”

“We’re encouraged that supply is improving.”

“Today, COVAX shipped its 800 millionth vaccine dose. Half of those doses have been shipped in the past three months.”

“Our projections show that supply should be sufficient to vaccinate the entire global adult population and to give boosters to high-risk populations, by the first quarter of 2022.”

“However, only later in 2022 will supply be sufficient for extensive use of boosters in all adults,” he said.

He urged countries and manufacturers to prioritise COVAX and AVAT and to work together to support those who are furthest behind.

Okwuego.O/Punch