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• Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye (left) speaks with Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Minister-designate for information, during the press conference
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has called on the public to ensure that they wear face masks and wear them in the correct manner, as the incorrect use and handling of the mask could defeat the goal of protection against COVID-19.
The government and GHS have ordered face masks to be worn in public as part of measures to curb the spread of COVID-19.
While adherence to the guideline contributed to some success during the first wave of the pandemic in Ghana last year, their use plummeted in the later stages, a situation which has contributed to the upsurge in infections.
Addressing the minister’s press conference in Accra yesterday to take stock of the COVID-19 situation in the country, GHS Director General Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye said: “Masks must be worn correctly, changed frequently, removed correctly. , disposed of safely and used in combination with good universal hygiene behavior so that they are effective. “
Survey
He said an initial survey conducted in the middle of last year showed that 44% of Ghanaians were wearing their face masks the right way. However, according to similar research, that figure fell in October of the same year to 10%.
He said research later by the GHS found that a number of people wearing face masks the right way had dropped from 10% to 42% in January this year.
Dr Kuma-Aboagye said the survey further established that the number of those who mistakenly wore the mask increased from 72% to 36%.
He said that while the latest data is encouraging, it was not adequate, explaining that the expected benefits of wearing a face mask could be maximized if the majority of the population also wore the mask.
In addition, he said, scientific evidence had been established that wearing a face mask was effective in slowing or stopping the transmission of COVID-19, which informed the national decision to deliver the act. mandatory.
Intended use
Dr Kuma-Aboagye said it was not correct to touch the front of the face mask intermittently while it was in place and drop the mask onto the chin.
“Please make sure that any time you touch the front of the mask while it’s in place, you wash or sanitize your hands immediately,” he says.
He said any misuse of the face mask increases vulnerability because the virus is transmitted by droplets from the speaking, singing, coughing and sneezing of infected people that fall directly on the face or surfaces and can be picked up with the hands and introduced into the body by touching the face mask with dirty hands.
“Surgical masks should not be used for more than 12 hours and are single-use masks. The reusable cloth mask should be removed by holding the ear cords and placed directly in soapy water. They should be washed and rinsed under clean running water; sun-dried and ironed if possible before each reuse.
“Each mask needs to be replaced immediately, it gets wet,” he said, indicating that the mask should be used in combination with all other COVID-19 safety protocols.
“Also, wash your hands frequently with soap under running water for at least 20 seconds while making sure your palms and between fingers and fingernails are thoroughly washed. Also, be sure to wash a bit above the wrist and avoid touching your face, especially your mouth, nose and eyes, ”he says.
The GHS said there are three types of face masks: disposable surgical mask, also called medical mask, which covers the lower face and can be pleated and is cup or duckbill shaped; the N95, which is also cup-shaped and often has the embossed N95 on it, and the reusable cloth mask.
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