DOH: Not all UV lamps offer protection from COVID-19

The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday said some UV lamps, like those that can be purchased from online stores, do not offer protection from COVID-19.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire reiterated that UV lamps are best for healthcare settings only.

“Meron pong klase ng UV lamp na ginagamit po talaga sa mga hospital settings at mga klinika (There is a type of UV lamp that is really used in hospital settings and clinics),” she explained in an online forum.

Vergeire also said items bought online, including handheld wands or others being labeled as UV lamps, do not really give protection.

The DOH earlier discouraged the use of personal air purifiers due to a lack of scientific evidence that they are effective against COVID-19. 

Vergeire said other non-pharmacological interventions that are not supported by experts are foot baths and misting tents.

On the other hand, experts strongly recommend properly fitted surgical masks, face shields or goggles, and standard personal protective equipment for health workers not directly catering to COVID-19 patients or suspected cases.

Experts also strongly recommend the cleaning and disinfection of surfaces with the appropriate agents.

Meanwhile, interventions "conditionally" recommended by experts are the wearing of face mask with face shield, high efficiency particulate filters, selected N95 mask decontamination methods, and protective physical barriers.

The DOH also recommended the use of surgical masks instead of cloth masks, whenever possible, in areas with a high number of COVID-19 cases. 

The Philippines has logged over 1.77 million COVID-19 cases with 1,629,426 recoveries and 30,462 deaths as of August 17. — RSJ, GMA News