The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is urging Americans to only use cloth masks instead of surgical ones during the coronavirus pandemic, officials said.

The CDC continues to study the spread and effects of the novel coronavirus across the United States and has cited recent studies that a significant portion of individuals with coronavirus lack symptoms and that even those who eventually develop symptoms can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms, according to the agency.

This means that the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity — for example, speaking or coughing — even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms, according to the CDC.

“In light of this new evidence, CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain especially in areas of significant community-based transmission,” said the CDC in a statement.

The recommendation does not include medical-grade masks, which should be kept available for healthcare workers, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

Purchasing a respirator or face mask intended for the healthcare setting including N95 respirators and surgical masks is strongly discouraged, according to Los Angeles County officials.

Medical respirators and face masks are worn for protection by healthcare staff and those workers who provide care to a person who might have COVID19, can to officials.

However, a cloth face is a material that covers the nose and mouth which is secured to the head with ties or straps or simply wrapped around the lower face.

A cloth mask can be made of a variety of materials, such as cotton, silk or linen, according to officials.

A cloth face covering may be factory-made or sewn by hand or can be improvised from household items such as scarfs, T-shirts, sweatshirts or towels, according to County officials.

Anyone who covers their nose and mouth, can limit the spread of COVID-19, according to health officials.

“We touch our face less when our face is covered. Touching your face after touching something contaminated with COVID-19 increases your chances of getting sick with COVID-19,” health officials said.

There is limited evidence to suggest that the use of cloth face coverings by the public during a pandemic could help reduce disease transmission.

Their primary role is to reduce the release of infectious particles into the air when someone speaks, coughs or sneezes, including someone who has COVID-19 but feels well.

However, wearing cloth face coverings are not a substitute for physical distancing and washing hands and staying home when ill, but they may be helpful when out in the public.

Reusable face-covering options for the general public include cloth, bandanas or scarfs.

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