"'Nomask Hoesik' Increases COVID Infection Risk 4 Times... 'Use Nonwoven Fabric Masks'"

A study found that people who took off their masks during company dinners are about four times more likely to contract COVID-19 than those who did not attend the event. The photo is not related to any specific expressions in this article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Sumi Hwang] A study has found that people who took off their masks during company dinners are about four times more likely to contract COVID-19 than those who did not attend such gatherings.

According to NHK on the 9th, a research team led by the National Institute of Infectious Diseases of Japan analyzed the infection risk by comparing the behavior of 753 unvaccinated adults who visited five medical institutions in the Tokyo area with high fever during June and July, focusing on their activities in the two weeks prior.

Among them, 257 tested positive, while the remaining 496 tested negative, NHK reported.

When the research team analyzed their behavior to estimate infection risk, they found that people who took off their masks during company dinners had a 3.92 times higher risk of infection compared to those who did not attend the gatherings.

Additionally, those who practiced so-called "masked company dinners," wearing masks except when eating or drinking, showed no significant difference in infection risk compared to those who did not attend such dinners.

The research team pointed out that this result demonstrates the importance of wearing masks as a preventive measure against infection.

Furthermore, the team disclosed results analyzing infection risk by mask type among those who attended company dinners.

Compared to people wearing non-woven fabric masks, those wearing urethane masks had a 1.87 times higher infection risk, and those wearing cloth or gauze masks had a 1.82 times higher risk.

Based on this, the research team recommended wearing non-woven fabric masks in environments considered to have a high risk of infection.

Motoi Suzuki, Director of the Infectious Disease Epidemiology Center, said, "To avoid COVID-19 infection, it is advisable to properly wear non-woven fabric masks when meeting others and to avoid long company dinners where many people gather."