Proof for high-grade face masks was weak, Covid inquiry instructed

There may be solely “weak proof” that high-grade face masks higher protected well being staff than surgical ones within the pandemic, the Covid inquiry has been instructed.

Prof Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser on the UK Well being Safety Company (UKHSA), stated respirator masks – often known as FFP3s – could have carried out no higher than skinny surgical masks in real-life conditions.

She stated there could possibly be “vital harms” from sporting tight-fitting FFP3s, together with blisters and respiration difficulties.

“If the proof was sturdy that FFP3s actually protected individuals, and we noticed a definitive discount [in infections], they might have been really helpful,” she stated.

Not all scientists agree on what has develop into a controversial challenge.

The BBC has previously reported on studies which seem to indicate a major real-world profit from sporting higher-grade masks on hospital wards.

All through the primary two years of the pandemic, teams representing docs, nurses and different well being staff repeatedly known as for pressing enhancements to private protecting tools (PPE), together with the broader use of respirators.

FFP3s are tight-fitting masks with a built-in air filter designed to dam out tiny aerosol particles which may carry the virus.

Earlier than they can be utilized, every wearer should endure a match check, to ensure the masks is correctly sealed to the face.

For a lot of the pandemic, nationwide steering throughout the entire UK stated that healthcare staff ought to put on primary surgical masks slightly than FFP3s, besides in intensive care or a small variety of medical conditions.

The choice was closely criticised by some employees with the docs’ union, the BMA, calling it a “matter of life and loss of life”.

Nationwide steering on face masks from April 2020 was drawn up by a bunch of specialists from throughout the UK often known as the IP (An infection Safety) Cell.

Its membership included representatives from the NHS, authorities departments and well being our bodies, together with Public Well being England (PHE), the organisation changed by UKHSA in 2021 in a shake-up ordered by then-Well being Secretary Matt Hancock.

The inquiry was proven minutes from an IP Cell assembly on 22 December 2020, simply after the brand new Alpha variant of Covid had been detected, which appeared to indicate disagreement about the usage of higher-grade FFP3 masks.

The information quote Dr Colin Brown, now the deputy director of scientific and rising infections at UKHSA however on the time with PHE, as saying: “Our understanding of aerosol transmission has modified. A precautionary strategy to maneuver to FFP3 masks [in all healthcare settings] while we’re awaiting proof needs to be suggested.”

Nevertheless, the broader IP Cell determined that no upgrading of the steering was warranted on the time, and NHS trusts had been instructed to proceed to produce employees with normal surgical masks in virtually all instances outdoors intensive care.

It was not till January 2022 that the recommendation modified, saying that FFP3 respirators “should be worn” by all employees if they’re caring for sufferers with a virus equivalent to Covid, and needs to be provided to different employees relying on a threat evaluation.

By that time, the World Well being Group, and different well being our bodies, had recognised Covid could possibly be unfold in tiny airborne particles over distances longer than 6.5ft (2m), one thing officers stated was not possible in the beginning of the pandemic.

Prof Hopkins, who served as PHE’s chief Covid adviser earlier than transferring throughout to UKHSA, instructed the inquiry that FFP3 masks provided a excessive diploma of safety in laboratory research, however the real-world advantages had been much less clear-cut.

“The place we checked out it, and repeatedly checked out it and are nonetheless taking a look at it, the proof is weak that FFP3s protected greater than fluid-resistant surgical masks,” she stated.

“On the outset, in March 2020, the dangers had been that we had by no means requested individuals to put on FFP3 masks for extended intervals.

“We noticed them get ulcers on their faces and having challenges respiration and challenges in being hydrated.”

Requested concerning the December 2020 IP Cell minutes, which advised PHE was pushing behind-the-scenes for the broader use of respirator masks in healthcare, Prof Hopkins stated that was a “actually difficult time” within the pandemic with the UK about to enter a 3rd wave of the virus.

“The truth that PHE was giving and airing a unique view is an instance of [us] not being concerned in groupthink,” she stated.

The Covid inquiry is at present taking proof concerning the impression on the NHS and healthcare techniques throughout all 4 nations of the UK.

Greater than 50 witnesses are anticipated to look on this third part or “module”, which runs till the top of November.