Update Alert #3: Mask Use for the Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 Infection

This is the 3rd update alert for a living rapid review published by the Annals of Internal Medicine on October 27, 2020, on the use of masks for prevention of respiratory virus infections, including SARS-CoV-2, in healthcare and community settings. 

The evidence on mask use and risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection in community settings was previously assessed as insufficient. However, N95 mask use versus no mask use was associated with decreased risk for COVID-19 during aerosol-generating procedures (OR, 0.37 [CI, 0.16 to 0.87]).

Database searches were updated from August to October 2, 2020, which identified 407 citations. These researchers concluded this new update review by saying 'the evidence for mask use versus nonuse and comparing masks types in healthcare settings remained insufficient.'