Coronavirus update and face mask shortage

THE OUTBREAK of coronavirus in China continues to evolve and cases have been reported in over 20 countries around the world.
Although the risk to the public remains moderate, Wales’ medical authorities continue to plan and implement targeted services so that they can mount a swift and proportionate response.
Following weeks of preparation, the virology laboratory at University Hospital of Wales commenced testing for COVID-19 on February 7.
Before this, Public Health England undertook testing.
Wales’ Chief Medical Officer, Dr Frank Atherton, said: “I would like to thank Public Health Wales for their expertise and dedication in providing this important testing service and for developing and supporting the wider NHS response. More than 100 people have so far been tested in Wales and we have had no confirmed cases to date.
“I wrote to the NHS in the week ending February 7, advising on the importance of immediate implementation of community assessment and testing services and the establishment of Coronavirus Testing Units separate from Emergency Departments.
“Implementing community assessment and testing services allows for people with mild symptoms to remain self-isolated at home where they are attended by trained clinical professionals who can assess their health and undertake the necessary tests.”
Dr Atherton continued: “Coronavirus Testing Units will ensure that individuals who present to our acute hospitals because of concerns they are at risk can receive prompt assessment in an area separate from Emergency Departments. Both measures benefit the individuals without impacting on the day to day services provided by our NHS.
The advice for travellers remains unchanged – all travellers who develop flu-like symptoms however mild, (these symptoms could be a fever, a cough, or difficulty breathing) within 14 days of returning from mainland China, Thailand, Japan, Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or Macau, should self-isolate at home immediately and call NHS Direct Wales or 111, if available in their area. It is important to note that travellers from Wuhan and Hubei province should self-isolate for 14 days, even if they do not have symptoms, due to the increased risk from that area.”
As for what steps the public can take to reduce the risk of transmission, those remain the same as for any respiratory virus. Dr Atherton said: “The advice is to catch it, bin it, kill it and wash your hands.
“I will continue to coordinate action with my fellow UK Chief Medical Officers in response to the developing situation. I will keep you regularly informed of developments.”
FACE MASK SHORTAGE HITS DENTISTS
The British Dental Association (BDA) has warned the shortage of face masks sparked by the coronavirus outbreak now poses an imminent risk of disruption to UK dental services unless officials and industry are prepared to ease rationing.
The Association reports it has been inundated by calls from member practices unclear on their options, in the wake of panic buying and supply problems. The People’s Republic of China is the world’s leading manufacturer of sanitary masks, and several suppliers have tripled their prices since January.
Based on contact with leading suppliers the BDA reports a ‘one size fits all’ model of rationing has now already left practices unable to order more than 2 boxes of masks per day (ie: 100 masks) irrespective of their size.
The Association estimates a single surgery in a typical NHS practice, seeing around 28 patients per day, will be getting through 5 boxes of masks a week. Private practices, which typically see fewer patients, are consuming half as many, around 2.5 boxes a week.
While smaller practices may be able to maintain viability on permitted orders of 10 boxes per week (2 per working day), even ‘two-chair’ NHS practices are now likely to use up their allocation completely.
The BDA is dealing with enquires from practices with up to 13 chairs.
‘Single-handed’ practices make up less than 20% of all UK providers.
Under the current guidance, Health Technical Memorandum 01-05 (HTM 01-05), all dental professionals operating in England should wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including disposable face masks, clinical gloves, household gloves, plastic disposable aprons, and eye protection.
In Scotland, practitioners are permitted to use disposable masks or reusable visors interchangeably.
The BDA has indicated it will ask the Welsh Government and NHS England to invoke force majeure clauses in NHS contracts should the situation deteriorate further, to protect multiple practices left unable to meet their contractual targets in the event of disruption.
BDA Chair Mick Armstrong said: “In recent weeks dentists have been hit by panic buying, clumsy rationing and naked profiteering. Sadly a ‘one size fits all’ approach from suppliers is leaving many larger practices with few options.
“Our abiding interest is the safety of our patients, who face imminent disruption to their care.
“Unless we see a rapid increase in supply, dentists without face masks will have little choice but to down drills.”