By JOSEPH ERUNKE, Abuja

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, has advised Nigerians against using face shields in place of face masks to prevent COVID-19 spread.

In an advisory it released to the public on Saturday, the centre said its position was against the backdrop of an increasing number of people who it noted, were erroneously using face shields instead of face masks to prevent the spread of the disease.

“An increasing number of people in Nigeria are now using face shields, in the place of face masks, as they become more widely available,” it regretted.

According to NCDC, “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 added.

The advisory published by the centre, read thus: “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 the 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 Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) published advisories on the use of face masks and guidance on making cloth masks.

“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 the 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 offers the following guidance to Nigerians on the appropriate use of face masks and face shields.

“1. 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.

“2. For effective protection, face shields are used in combination with an appropriate face mask in healthcare settings.

“3. 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 meters 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.” (Vanguard)

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