Covid 19 Omicron outbreak: Mask advice under review as community transmission of Omicron confirmed

By RNZ

Department of Health officials are reviewing advice on masks and which ones are most effective as the highly transmissible variant of Omicron spreads through the community.

At a conference this afternoon, at which the Prime Minister announced that the whole country would switch to the red frame of the Covid-19 frame, Jacinda Ardern said an assessment was underway on the mask advice while as evidence emerges from other countries facing outbreaks.

“Evidence is emerging around these masks that offer better protection than others, including the effectiveness of surgery [masks], so not just N95s.”

She said an official update would be provided in the coming days.

Chief Health Officer Dr Ashley Bloomfield said they had reviewed updated evidence regarding medical/surgical masks as well as N95s.

Brisbane-based data scientist Jeremy Howard, who in 2020 conducted the world’s largest review of the evidence on face masks and the ability to stop the spread of aerosols of Covid-19, told the world today that the evidence evolves.

“Ditch your cloth masks and also ditch your surgical masks,” he said.

“Omicron is so aerosolized, so it’s such small particles floating around in the air.

“When you inhale, you suck in these respiratory particles.”

However, Bloomfield said N95 masks must fit properly to be effective.

“All of our workforces who use these masks, in the healthcare system and at the border, have proper fit testing because if they don’t fit properly, they may be less effective than normal fabric or even a surgical/medical mask.

“We are therefore providing advice, which will be clear and clear for the public but also for the government, on access to masks and on how people can ensure that they can access masks and when to wear them. use.”

Siouxsie Wiles, associate professor and microbiologist at the University of Auckland, said people could be infectious before they know it, meaning wearing a good quality mask was important.

“One that fits well and covers your mouth and nose. If you only wear a cloth mask, consider upgrading to a mask that includes a PM2.5 filter or wearing one over a mask surgical.

“FFP2, Kn95 or KF94 masks are good options, but beware of where you buy them from as there are many counterfeit masks on the market.

“Masks can be reused, so try to have one for each day of the week and store them in a paper bag between uses. Replace them if they get wet or soiled, or if the straps come loose and don’t adapt as well.”

Indoor environments where people weren’t wearing masks posed a high risk of virus transmission, Wiles said.

“That’s why I’m concerned about hospitality and other similar places.”

In the red frame, hospitality venues – such as cafes, bars, restaurants (excluding takeaway businesses) and nightclubs – operating with vaccine pass requirements can accommodate up to 100 people, seated and spaced at least 1 meter apart.

If a hospitality business chooses not to follow vaccine requirements, they can only open for takeout and must follow retail rules.

But Wiles said: “It doesn’t matter if groups of people are sitting a meter apart, if they’re indoors, especially if the place is poorly ventilated, then the risk of transmission is high and we We’ve seen many examples of Omicron spreading in these types of environments overseas.Improving ventilation and introducing air purifiers are ways to reduce this risk.

Epidemiologist Amanda Kvalsvig, from the University of Otago in Wellington, said while the overall approach to reducing the spread of Omicron was “very appropriate”, there were still gaps to be filled.

“The government needs to move away from its current stance on respirator masks (e.g. P2 or N95) which appears to be that the public would not understand how to wear them.

“This position would deprive New Zealanders of one of the most effective protections they currently have.

“Respiratory masks are standard wear in many countries and there is plenty of clear and simple advice on how to use them.”

Kvalsvig said that even according to the United States public health agency, N95 masks tend to fit better around the face than surgical masks, “which usually bunch up at the sides so they have spaces for the virus to enter”.

“The Prime Minister has signaled that lockdowns will not be used. If this is the case and New Zealanders are mixing in public while Omicron is circulating, then people need access to effective masks. This is especially true for children under – vaccinated age group.

“This protection should not be available only to the most privileged members of society who are already ordering masks overseas.”

On January 14, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its advice on mask use, saying people can choose to wear N95s and KN95s, but people should always wear ” the most protective mask” that would suit them well.

Kvalsvig said the New Zealand government should consider importing enough masks so everyone has at least one to use or a set they can rotate every five to seven days.

“While universal access to masks is being organized, priority should go to providing effective masks to those most at risk, including essential workers.”

Ardern said healthcare staff had a good supply of N95 masks.

– RNZ