Mangaluru: Medical face masks are a precautionary measure to prevent one from contracting the coronavirus (covid-19), however, it will not stop the virus from moving from an already infected person to a healthy person.
According to experts, a more specialized mask, known as an N95 respirator, can protect against the novel coronavirus, also called covid-19. The respirator is thicker than a surgical mask, but it is not recommended it for public use. The reason is that it is challenging wear these masks for long periods of time.
Speaking to newskarnataka.com District Health Officer Dr M Ramakrishna Rao said that a regular surgical face mask is not effective and has no power to prevent the coronavirus from transmitting from infected persons. “If a person is diagnosed with the coronavirus, a more specialised mask, N95 respirator can be used while treating or communicating with them. However, one cannot use this type of mask for long hours as it makes breathing difficult,” he said.
Meanwhile, there have been rumours circulating that two persons are being treated in a private hospital in the city for coronavirus, however, this has not been confirmed by the authorities. Hospital sources have clarified that these are mere rumours and that there are no coronavirus patients at the hospital.
Precautionary measures are being taken up in the district to prevent the virus spreading. Measures are already in place to conduct medical tests on those entering the New Mangaluru Port Trust (NMPT) and Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) from abroad. Testing has been conducted on over 20,000 people and not a single positive case has been reported so far. An isolation ward with a 19-bed capacity has been prepared at the district Wenlock hospital and health officials have also been deployed to this ward.
Dakshina Kannada district Deputy Commissioner Sindhu B Rupesh has advised the people not to panic over the coronavirus as the district has already taken precautionary measures. She also informed that special tests are being conducted on those who arrive from countries where coronavirus cases have been reported.
Divisional controller of KSRTC, Mangaluru Arun informed that all awareness tips on how to avoid getting infected with the coronavirus and what the precautionary measures are being announced at all bus stands.
