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No evidence to support the effectiveness of surgical masks compared to respirators in reducing the risk of COVID-19 infection when providing non-aerosol generating care to COVID-19 patients -- A systematic review
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  • saleem mastan,
  • Rahul Geetala,
  • Waqar Ahmed,
  • Rayaz A. Malik,
  • Charalambos P Charalambous
saleem mastan
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Rahul Geetala
University of Cambridge
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Waqar Ahmed
University of Lincoln
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Rayaz A. Malik
Weil Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
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Charalambos P Charalambous
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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Abstract

We systematically assessed the evidence comparing surgical facemasks to respirators in the prevention of COVID-19 in HCW providing non AGP care in a hospital setting. We identified only one relevant study which reported no significant difference in COVID-19 infection rates amongst HCWs wearing surgical facemasks or FFP1 face-covers as compared to FFP2 respirators. This was an observational study with substantial methodological deficiencies and highlights the need for high quality evidence. However, until this evidence is available, and given that inadequate mask use may increase the risk of nosocomial infection amongst patients and HCWs, we would recommend respirators for non-AGP care.