Higher quality masks vs. Omicron not yet recommended for public, only for health workers —NTF adviser

National Task Force Against COVID-19 medical adviser Dr. Ted Herbosa on Tuesday said it is not recommended yet for the public to use higher quality masks to protect themselves better from the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

At the Laging Handa public briefing, Herbosa was asked about the calls of some health experts to use N95 and KN95

“Ang sinasabi lang is higher quality masks... Mayroong tinatawag na surgical three-ply mask. Actually, magaling na proteksiyon na iyon against airborne infection or illnesses,” he said.

(What they were saying is higher quality masks…We have what we call surgical three-ply masks. Actually, it’s a good protection against airborne infection or illnesses.)

Herbosa said he is not recommending the general public to already use these higher quality masks against COVID-19 considering that the supply may run out for healthcare workers.

“Will we recommend to the general public?  Ako ang tingin ko, hindi pa siguro kasi nga baka maubusan ng supply sa healthcare workers (I think, perhaps not yet, because the supply may run out for healthcare workers),” he said.

For Herbosa, N95 and KN95 masks should only be used by people working in a setting with COVID-19 cases. 

The Philippines on Monday registered 24,938 new COVID-19 cases, raising the Philippines' total caseload to 3,442,056. —KG, GMA News