DOH recommends masks with high filtration, proper fit

The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday urged the public to double mask to maximize filtration and prevent the transmission and further mutation of COVID-19.

“Hinihikayat po natin ang lahat ng ating kababayan na mag double mask upang ma-maximize ang filtration at ang protection,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said at the Palace briefing.

(We urge the public to double mask to maximize filtration and protection.)

“Atin pong siguraduhin na hindi maluwag at tama ang fit ng mask na atin pong susuotin (ensure that the mask is fit and not loose),” she added.

Vergeire said a surgical mask must be worn beneath a cloth mask when double masking.

Though the Health Department highly recommends N95 or KN95 masks for maximum protection against COVID-19, Vergeire also called on the public to reserve these for healthcare workers.

“Ngunit nag bibigay din po kami ng abiso na kung maari naman po maireserba natin ang ganitong mga klaseng mask para sa ating healthcare workers,” she said.

The KN95 comes close to the filtration of the N95, which is used by medical professionals and captures 95% of particles in the air. KN is the Chinese equivalent of the N95.

Vergeire said that transmission was at the lowest risk when wearing the KN95 and N95 mask, followed by a lower risk through the wearing of a fitted double mask, and a low risk of transmission with a low surgical mask.

“Moderate risk naman po ang ating makukuha kung fitted na cloth mas o mask na gawa sa tela ang ating soot. High risk po kung maluwag ang pagkakasoot ng ating mask… at pinakamataas po at highest risk kung hindi tayo mag sosoot ng mask,” she said.

The department recommended the replacement of surgical masks every six hours or when soiled.

Meanwhile, cloth masks must be washed after every use.

The N95 mask should be replaced if torn, loose, or when wet. — DVM, GMA News