By Christine Fabro
Studies show that the use of necklace air purifiers is ineffective in protecting people against COVID-19, the Department of Health (DOH) said.
DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a public briefing on Tuesday (Aug. 17) that Clinical Practice Guidelines, a consensus panel of experts, made a recommendation to the DOH against the use of ionizing air purifiers.
CPG said these portable air purifiers offer no protection against COVID-19.
Vergeire also said these purifiers could even cause more harm to people as they might lead to complacency or a sense of false security.
She explained that high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are recommended to help air circulate in large establishments.
A HEPA filter is a type of mechanical air filter that removes a high percentage of dust, pollen, bacteria, and any airborne particles.
“As compared to these HEPA filters, siguro ang sinasabi nila for these establishments na naglalagay nito, especially doon sa mga enclosed spaces, ating nirirekomenda iyan because that also provides filtering mechanism that can help in the air circulation in these large establishments,” Vergeire said.
Cebu PUV drivers still required to use air purifiers
Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia required all public utility drivers in Cebu to wear air-purifying gadgets “to curb further transmission of COVID-19” in the province.
Garcia met with Cebu provincial officials and bus operators last Friday (Aug. 12) and discussed the protocols on public transport, including the mandatory use of personal air purifiers and installation of HEPA filters inside the public utility vehicles (PUVs).
As agreed in the meeting, PUV operators would purchase the gadgets for their drivers and conductors. Some operators said they will provide the gadgets on a loan basis while others will give these to their drivers for free.
New measures were supposed to be implemented on Monday (Aug. 16), but Garcia extended the deadline to Aug. 25 as many drivers were unable to purchase such air purifier gadgets. – jlo
