Spurt in H1N1 trigger mask sale

Not only doctors and nurses attending such patients but also their attendants and relatives and those attending and visiting persons in nearby wards are also wearing the green disposable masks.

A pharmacy near CMCH said that the masks with a maximum retail price of Rs. 10 a piece are sold for Rs 5. “Selling one mask a day was a rarity till the Swine Flu outbreak. There was a spurt in sales from a few weeks ago, when a handful of cases were reported. Now we are selling more than 600 pieces a day. We have placed order for a few thousands as the number seems to be going up,” the pharmacist said.

Paul Thomas (61) of Veerapandi Pirivu in Coimbatore was attending on his 88-yearold mother Packiam who tested positive and was admitted at the CMCH four days ago. “Since the mask is not expensive we buy a few dozen every morning. I, my brother and in-laws take turns to attend to my mother,” he added. However, there is no clarity among them on the quality of these masks and how useful they are in protecting them from A (H1N1). 

A few hospital staffs were also seen wearing N-95 (a white disposable mask) that is sturdier than the cloth masks. N-95 masks are given to the nurses attending patients affected by A (H1N1). Nurses in nearby wards use two green masks (one on top of the other) as it covers their mouth and nose better than one mask. “But, it is not as effective as the N-95 mask,” a nurse in a ward close to the A (H1N1) ward said. 

Sadly, the CMCH that is overflowing with A (H1N1) patients and suspects does not have as many taps and soaps where the attendants could wash their hands.