About two million masks from “outdated” but fully compliant stocks will be distributed to private doctors and New Aquitaine health establishments to supplement the supply of this highly coveted equipment during this epidemic of coronavirus. "Health professionals are worried, ask for masks, this concern is legitimate," acknowledged Michel Laforcade, director general of the Regional Health Agency (ARS) of Nouvelle-Aquitaine at a press conference in its premises. However, a good surprise came from "several administrations and communities" who "indicated that they have an outdated stock of surgical masks or FFP2 that they will make available to us".
[Press point # COVID2019] Experts have affirmed the effectiveness of expired masks (only the solidity of the elastic is questioned). In the current state of stocks, the ARS requisitions 2 million masks (including FFP2) to restock hospitals and city doctors.
- ARS Nouvelle-Aquitaine (@ARS_NAquit) March 17, 2020Out of date? "We obviously asked the opinion of experts from the Ministry and Public Health France and they are formal: these expired masks have the same guarantees", reassured the boss of the ARS, adding that "the only fragility" can be at the elastic level.
Private doctors (60%) and health establishments (40%) of New Aquitaine will benefit, a region hitherto relatively untouched by the wave of coronavirus with 179 cases confirmed Monday evening. "We are still far from doubling cases every three days on a national average, which gives us a little time to deal with this excitement," said the director.
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