The public should use facemasks in certain circumstances, according to the World Health Organization.
In light of the COVID-19 virus’s current global expansion, the WHO released the update.
According to the organization, masks are advised for anyone who has recently been exposed to COVID-19, has COVID-19 or fears they do, is at a high risk of developing severe COVID-19, is in a crowded, confined, or poorly ventilated place, or is in any of these situations.
From December 31, 2022, to January 13, 2023, 42 new instances of COVID-19 were confirmed, according to news reports.
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.
According to a risk assessment, WHO says that there are various situations in which a mask may be indicated. The local epidemiological trends or rising hospitalization rates, the community’s immunity and vaccination rates, and the environment in which people are living are all important factors to take into account.
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.
“The revised recommendations include 10 days of isolation from the date of symptom onset for patients with symptoms without testing. Prior to this, WHO recommended that patients wait at least three more days after their symptoms subsided before being released.
“Isolating COVID-19 patients is a crucial step in preventing the infection of others. This can be carried out at home or in a special setting, such a hospital or clinic, it was stated.
The organization’s analysis of the information revealed that persons without symptoms were considerably less likely to spread the virus than those who did.
Evidence also indicated, albeit with very little assurance, that patients with symptoms who were discharged on day five after symptom start ran a threefold higher risk of infecting others than those who were discharged on day ten.
Nirmatrelvir-ritonavir, also known by the commercial name “Paxlovid,” continues to receive a strong recommendation from the WHO.
However, given to the drug’s “potential advantages” and lack of recorded side effects, it advised pregnant or nursing women with non-severe COVID-19 to speak with their doctor before deciding whether to use it.
WHO first endorsed nirmatrelvir-ritonavir in April 2022. In patients with mild or moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk of hospitalization, the WHO highly advises using it. The first generic medication manufacturer was prequalified by WHO in December 2022.
“WHO also examined the evidence for two other medications, sotrovimab and casirivimab-imdevimab, and continues to strongly advise against using them to treat COVID-19.
These monoclonal antibody medications don’t work as well or at all against the virus versions that are currently circulating.
There are presently six effective treatment options for COVID-19 patients, three of which keep high-risk individuals out of the hospital and three of which help people with severe or critical illness live longer.
Except for corticosteroids, access to other medications is still not enough everywhere, according to the UN agency.
