Face shields drastically reduce transmission of coronavirus in health workers in India: Study

As we write this, the number of positive coronavirus cases have crossed 22 million and the viral contagion has already resulted in 791,568 fatalities across the globe. Currently, there are more than 160 vaccine candidates in different stages of clinical trials to combat the spread of the disease ravaging the world. It should be noted that even as Russia became the world’s first nation to register a vaccine for COVID19, the world is still waiting for an effective vaccine to come in public circulation. This is primarily the reason, global medical agencies and health experts are constantly underlining the importance of wearing face coverings while stepping out in public.

While wearing a face cover when you go out is non-negotiable, it is strongly recommended to wear a face shield along with your face covering for added protection--especially if you are planning on staying outdoors for long periods. A recent study published in the medical journal Jama Network highlighted the efficacy of face shields in reducing the percentage of coronavirus transmission in amidst health workers in India.

The study was conducted on 62 health care workers in Chennai, India, who were counselling the asymptomatic family members of coronavirus patients. Their work was to primarily inform and educate family contacts of COVID-19 positive individuals about hand sanitizing, respiratory hygiene measures, social distancing and correct usage of face masks and face covers. All the health workers had tested negative for COVID-19 before the training started and they were asked to stay in separate hotels. They did not visit their family for the duration of the training and neither did they go out in public settings except for work.

Health workers were allotted alcohol hand rub, 3-layered surgical masks, gloves, and shoe covers as their personal protective gears to counsel the family members of COVID-19 patients. All the 62 workers had visited 5880 homes in total between May 4 and May 13, where 222 people had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2.

Before adding face shields in their personal protective equipment, 12 workers tested positive for novel coronavirus between May 3 and May 15. After that, the remaining 50 workers were given face shields made of polyethene terephthalate (250-μm thickness) for their home visits. The health workers started counselling again on May 20 and visited 18,000 homes between May 20 and June 30. Interestingly, none of the health workers tested positive this time, in spite of visiting 2,682 infected residents

It must be noted that face shields are NOT a replacement for face masks, but rather should be worn along with them for added protection. According to the researchers, “The face shields may have reduced ocular exposure or contamination of masks or hands or may have diverted movement of air around the face.”

Infact a study conducted to test ‘Efficacy of Face Shields Against Cough Aerosol Droplets From a Cough Simulator’ also found that face shield reduced the inhalational exposure by 96 per cent within 18 inches of a cough.

Medical experts maintain that face shields must extend lower than the chin, should go beyond the ears and there should be no gap between the forehead and the shield’s headpiece. They can be reused by cleaning effectively with water and soap or disinfectants.