With the flu and new Covid strain, a face mask can prevent you needing medical assistance when the NHS is at breaking point (Picture: Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

While life has returned to normal for the most part, the Covid-19 pandemic is not really over.

Widespread outbreaks in China have seen ‘70% of the Shanghai population infected’ and a new variant is responsible for one in 25 cases across the UK.

The strain, called XBB.1.5, has caused alarm in the US as it has spread to become four in 10 cases in the country, up from two in 10 just last week.

While there’s nothing to suggest the new strain poses any new dangers or threats, it comes at a time when the NHS is facing crippling pressure.

With that in mind, for most able-bodied individuals, any way that they can reduce their chance of getting sick and needing to use the NHS could help the stretched service. So some might consider wearing face masks in crowded areas again.

Here’s a reminder on what to look for when choosing a face mask…

Are N95 masks the most effective against Covid?

The best mask in terms of preventing the spread of Covid are the N95 masks.

As confirmed by the likes of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the American Medical Association (AMA), N95 masks filter up to 95% of particles in the air.

The construction of an N95 Respirator Mask is designed to fit the mask closely to the face, eliminating the gap that regular face masks have.

In fact, N95 and KN95 masks were found to be 48% more effective than surgical or cloth masks, according to a CDC study.

The difference between these two types of masks is the certification. N95 is the United States standard and the KN95 is the Chinese standard. In the UK and parts of Europe, the N95 equivalent can be known as FFP2 NR.

The AMA reports that wearing an N95 or KN95 mask reduces the odds of testing positive for Covid by 83%. This is compared with 66% for surgical masks and 56% for cloth mask.

The simplest measure to protect yourself is to wear a mask in crowded areas (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Where to buy N95 or KN95 masks?

While there was a shortage of these medical grade masks during the peak of the pandemic – which led to some medical authorities requesting people leave them for medical staff and the public wore cloth masks instead – they are now widely available.

Boots sell a pack of five for £7.99.

Amazon have a wide range, with a pack of 10 currently available for £6.99.

Can you still wear cloth masks?

While N95 masks are considered the superior choice, a cloth mask will still protect you – any mask is better than no mask, if you’re concerned about catching it.

Cloth masks also have the benefit of being reusable, however, you must wash the mask after each wear.

You can buy a range of cloth masks in different styles and prints from many popular retailers, including ASOS, Holland and Barrett and LOOKFANTASTIC.

MORE : US extends Covid vaccine mandate for foreign travelers

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A new strain plus flu season could put even more pressure on the NHS