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MANILA, Philippines — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has urged the public not to use masks with valves as protection against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
In an interview, FDA Director-General Eric Domingo said masks with valves are not registered for medical purposes and they are manufactured only to provide protection against dust, such as those used in industrial firms.
Domingo pointed out that those who wear masks with valves are only provided one-way protection.
“Ang proteksyon niya one-way, eh ang gusto natin ang proteksyon ng mask ay two-way. Kung tayo ay walang sakit hindi tayo mahahawa, kung tayo ay may sakit hindi tayo manghahawa,” Domingo added.
Domingo advised that wearing medical and surgical masks is still best to be used in public, adding that even cloth masks will serve the purpose.
“Sa mga ospital o sa mga naga-alaga ng may sakit, gusto po talaga natin medical or surgical use na mga masks. Pero kung everyday use, kahit naman po mga cloth masks. Mas safe pa po ang mga regular masks na walang valve,” he said.
Domingo added that the FDA has also advised hospitals to prohibit the entry of persons wearing masks with valves.
On Friday (July 17), the Medical City Clinic, has released its advisory against wearing masks with valves, prohibiting those wearing such entry to its premises.
Meanwhile, data from the Department of Health (DOH) shows that, as of 4PM of July 17, the total number of COVID-19 cases is now at 63,001.
The data also shows a total of 1,841 confirmed cases based on the total tests done by 76 out of 84 current operational labs.
The DOH likewise announced 311 recoveries that brings the total number of recoveries to 21,748. — /mbmf
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