Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has said that N95 masks with respirator valves in them do not prevent the coronavirus from spreading out. He said N95 mask fitted with a perforated respirator is contrary to the rules adopted to prevent the spread of coronavirus. In a tweet, Dr. Vardhan appealed to everyone to use a triple layer mask made of cloth and also to encourage others for this.

Director-General of Health Services, Dr Rajiv Garg has written to the Principal Secretaries of health and medical education of all the States in this regard. In the letter, Dr Garg said that the use of valved respirator N95 masks is detrimental to the measures adopted for preventing the spread of coronavirus as it does not prevent the virus from escaping out of the mask.

In view of it, the DGHS has urged the States to instruct all concerned to follow the guidelines on the use of face and mouth cover and prevent inappropriate use of N95 masks. Dr. Garg said, it has been observed that there is an inappropriate use of N95 masks, particularly those with the valved respirator, by the public other than designated health workers. He also referred to an advisory issued by the Health Ministry on the use of homemade protective cover for face and mouth available on its website.

In April, the Health Ministry had issued an advisory on the use of homemade protective cover for face and mouth, asking people to wear it, particularly when they step out of their residences. It also listed the procedures of making such homemade masks, asking to ensure it fits the face well and there are no gaps on the sides.

Meanwhile, Niti Aayog Member Dr. V.K. Paul today said, India is the frontrunner in the development of vaccines and in this journey the country seems to be reaching a good position. He said that the government will leave no stone unturned to ensure that people of India and the International community have access to an Indian vaccine.

Briefing media in New Delhi, Dr. Paul said, all the regulatory processes will be ensured making sure the vaccine trials are done with scientific and ethical rigour. He said, two indigenous vaccines have started their human clinical trials. He said top Indian pharma company Serum Institute of India has signed a contract with British drugmaker AstraZeneca to supply one billion doses of Oxford University's potential COVID-19 vaccine which is currently at the most advanced stage at the world level.

Dr. Paul said the government is thinking about the affordable availability of the vaccine for its population. He said, the country is ramping up the testing capabilities and very soon it will reach five lakh tests per day. Mr. Paul said that the country has the lowest mortality rate of Covid-19 deaths in comparison to the global average and efforts are being made to bring it down. He said a National Clinical Programme on Covid-19 will be initiated by AIIMS, Health Ministry and Niti Aayog tomorrow for the Doctors to share the best practice of the treatment. He appealed to the Doctors to participate in the Covid.aiims.edu/cgr system so that the best practices of the treatment can be shared.