WHO updates COVID-19 guidelines on masks, treatments
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The World Health Organization (WHO) said that individuals should wear masks in certain situations irrespective of the local spread of COVID-19 given the current spread of the virus worldwide.
Masks are recommended if one has had recent exposure to COVID, when someone has or suspects they have the virus, when someone is at high risk of developing severe COVID, and when in a crowded space.

The WHO also extended its strong recommendation for Pfizer's (NYSE:PFE) antiviral Paxlovid as a treatment. The body continued its strong recommendation against GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:GSK) and Vir Biotechnology's (NASDAQ:VIR) Xevudy (sotrovimab) and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals' (NASDAQ:REGN) REGN-COV (casirivimab/imdevimab) because of their diminished effectiveness against current variants.
A WHO panel will meet later in January to discuss whether or not to maintain COVID-19 as a global health emergency.