PPE Requirements

COVID-19 is an infectious respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The SARS-CoV-2 virus replicates efficiently in the upper respiratory tract and appears to cause less abrupt onset of symptoms than the common cold, which means that infected individuals carry on usual activities for longer, increasing asymptomatic transmission of infection.

The ability to limit the transmission of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, in the healthcare setting requires infection prevention and control measures, of which PPE is a fundamental element. This is essential to limit the acquisition and transmission of the virus to protect both health professionals, the patients they care for and the wider community. Protecting health professionals not only limits disease spread, but also ensures that there are adequate numbers of staff to cope with inevitable increasing demands for healthcare services in the coming weeks and months ahead.

When used correctly, PPE such as gloves, aprons, eye protection, masks and gowns function as a physical barrier to the transmission of infectious particles present in bodily fluids. It also protects patients from transmission via the contaminated hands or clothing of healthcare staff.