The World Health Organization on Monday advised the public to wear facemasks in factors instances.
The International Health body published the update in light of the current global spread of COVID-19.
Masks are indicated following recent exposure to COVID-19, when someone has or fears they have COVID-19, when someone is at high risk for severe COVID-19, and for anyone in a crowded, confined, or poorly ventilated area.
It would be recalled that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control reported that about 42 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed from December 31, 2022, to January 13, 2023.
In 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria has so far reported 266,492 COVID-19 confirmed cases; 3,155 deaths; and 259,858 individuals that have been discharged.
As of January 13, WHO had received reports of 661,545,258 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 6,700,519 fatalities.
The WHO stated in a recent press release that their recommendations “before were based on the epidemiological condition.
“Similar to previous recommendations, WHO advises that there are other instances when a mask may be suggested, based on a risk assessment. Factors to consider include the local epidemiological trends or rising hospitalization levels, levels of vaccination coverage and immunity in the community, and the setting people find themselves in.”
The WHO also suggested that if a COVID-19 patient showed negative on an antigen-based fast test, they could be released from isolation earlier.
“Without testing, for patients with symptoms, the new guidelines suggest 10 days of isolation from the date of symptom onset. Previously, WHO advised that patients be discharged 10 days after symptom onset, plus at least three additional days since their symptoms had resolved.
“For those who test positive for COVID-19 but do not have any signs or symptoms, WHO now suggests five days of isolation in the absence of testing, compared to 10 days previously.
“Isolation of people with COVID-19 is an important step in preventing others from being infected. This can be done at home or at a dedicated facility, such as a hospital or clinic,” it noted.
The evidence considered by the organisation showed that people without symptoms were much less likely to transmit the virus than those with symptoms.
“Although of very low certainty, evidence also showed that people with symptoms discharged at day five following symptom onset risked infecting three times more people than those discharged at day 10.”
The WHO also reiterated its strong support for the use of nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (commonly known as ‘Paxlovid’).
It did, however, advise pregnant or breastfeeding women with non-severe COVID-19 to consult with their doctor before using the medicine, citing ‘potential advantages’ and a lack of recorded adverse events.
“Nirmatrelvir-ritonavir was first recommended by WHO in April 2022. WHO strongly recommends its use in mild or moderate COVID-19 patients who are at high risk of hospitalisation. In December 2022, the first generic producer of the drug was prequalified by WHO.
“WHO also reviewed the evidence on two other medicines, sotrovimab, and casirivimab-imdevimab, and maintains strong recommendations against their use for treating COVID-19. These monoclonal antibody medicines lack or have diminished activity against the current circulating virus variants.
“There are currently six proven treatment options for patients with COVID-19, three that prevent hospitalisation in high-risk persons and three that save lives in those with severe or critical disease. Except for corticosteroids, access to other drugs remains unsatisfactory globally,” the UN body stated.
