Navi Mumbai campaigns against use of face masks with valves

Navi Mumbai: It is not only failure to wear

face masks

that is leading to a rise in Covid-19 cases. Health officials said some people were wearing face masks with valves.

Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) on Monday posted messages on social media, urging residents not to wear face masks with valves. The

valve

does not have a filter for exhalation, making it

ineffective

in containing spread of the virus, said NMMC commissioner Abhijit Bangar, adding, “The air inhaled is filtered, but not when exhaled.”

In August, American Center for Diseases Control said that while respirators with exhalation valves protect the wearer from SARS-CoV-2, they may not prevent the virus spreading from the wearer to others.

Private hospitals like Fortis in Navi Mumbai and Mulund have put up posters stating that people with valve masks will be told to change to regular ones. “Masks with valves may not be effective in controlling the spread of Covid-19. People should wear masks that are not only safe for them but also to others in front of them,’’ said a doctor.

A new study in US has shown that even a cloth mask is effective in preventing a Covid infection.

NMMC has been sending messages and videos to office-bearers of housing societies, besides uploading them on its website and Facebook. NMMC, which has been registering around 350 cases every day, has seen a rise in cases due to increased testing in the last one month. It has brought down the death rate drastically with aggressive testing, tracing of contacts and early treatment. NMMC officials said youngsters huddle together outside eateries, without masks or gloves. A squad of former Army jawans will be formed soon to conduct awareness campaigns.