New Delhi | Jagran Lifestyle Desk: As the number of cases of the deadly coronavirus in India increased to 29, the demand for the N95 masks and hand sanitizers in India have surged.
However, the country is facing a shortage of the N95 masks and hand sanitizers. Majority of the pharmacy stores across the Delhi-NCR region don’t have the masks and sanitizers, IANS quoted industry observers as saying.
"We have received information about the shortage of hand sanitizers and face masks in Delhi-NCR region," All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists' President Jagannath Shinde told IANS.
"We have asked 'Super Stockists' to re-route supplies from the less affected areas to metropolitan cities, so that these items are readily made available in these places. However, restoring availability might take some time," he added.
As the country is facing shortage of the N95 masks in India, here’s all you need to know about it
What is N95 mask?
The N95 respirators and surgical masks are examples of personal protective equipment that are used to protect the wearer to protect their face from contaminating from harmful particles.
Is it useful to contain spread of COVID-19?
US’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), however, does not recommend the use of N95 masks for general public. It suggests that the best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this deadly virus.
Experts also suggest that the mask isn’t required to be worn by all but only by those who have respiratory symptoms like coughing and sneezing.
Cost of the N95 masks:
According to a report by IANS, the average cost of manufacture of surgical face masks is only around 40-45 paise, while that for N95 mask is about Rs 10-12. But due to market dynamics, these are being sold at a much higher price.
Consequently, some industry estimates range the rise of combined market size of PPE products including sanitisers from Rs 3,500 crore previously to now over Rs 5,000 crore.