N-95 masks to be most effective at curbing COVID-19 spread: Indian scientists

N-95 masks may be the most effective at reducing the spread of the coronavirus, according a study by researchers
 

According to a study conducted by researchers including those from Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), N-95 masks are the most effective at reducing the spread of the novel coronavirus

 They added that any mask is better than no mask at preventing coronavirus

The study said that airborne transmission by respiratory aerosol droplets produced during coughing and sneezing is the dominant mode of spreading of coronavirus kind of disease

The study published in the journal Physics of Fluids, found N-95 masks to be the most effective at reducing the horizontal spread of a cough.

It is reported that the N-95 masks reduced a cough's initial velocity by up to a factor of 10, and limit its spread to between 0.1 and 0.25 meters

The study added that an uncovered cough, in contrast, can travel up to three metres, but even a simple disposable mask can bring this all the way down to 0.5 metres
 

Tip: N-95 masks with valved respirators do not prevent the virus from spreading out and are “detrimental” to the measures adopted for its containment. Look out for N-95 mask without valve. 

India's COVID-19 tally crossed the 32-lakh mark with 67,151 new cases and 1,059 deaths in the last 24 hours, according to the Union ministry of health and family welfare (MOHFW).

The overall coronavirus count reached 32,34,475 including 7,07,267 active cases, 24,67,759 cured/discharged/migrated and 59,449 deaths.