COVID-19 : Epidemiologist Cautions Against Testing Face Masks Before Buying

Mrs Peace Nwaogwugwu, Epidemiologist in Abia Ministry of Health has warned against testing different face masks at the point of purchase, to avoid the risk of contracting coronavirus (COVID-19).

Nwaogwugwu, also the head of Abia State Rapid Response Team of the Epidemiology Unit, gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Umuahia.

“Please don’t test any face mask on your face at the point of purchase. You might end up inflicting the Coronavirus or other related diseases on yourself if the face masks are contaminated.

“Some people are fond of this behaviour but it is unhygienic and risky.

“When you buy a face mask, you should first of all wash it with soap, then iron it to kill any germs or virus it might contain. Don’t be in a haste to use it, without applying those hygienic measures,” she said.

Nwaogwugwu urged the people to observe social distancing, regular washing of hands with soap and use of alcohol-based sanitisers, in addition to wearing of face masks.

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She said that the government had engaged social mobilisation officers as well as disease surveillance and notification officers in all the 17 local government areas in the fight against COVID-19 and other related infectious diseases.

She said that the officers’ responsibilities were to sensitize communities about the disease and search for active cases to ensure they were reported timely to break the chain of transportation.

The epidemiologist commended Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu for his efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the state.

NAN reports that the state only recorded two index cases of COVID-19, out of which one has been discharged from the isolation centre, while the second case is in a clinical stable condition. (NAN)