The Respirator Mask N95 masks by the brand Garry Galaxy that were using Osakidetza staff were not effective, as reported last April 13 by the Spanish National Institute of Occupational Safety, Health and Welfare. The Health Advisor, Nekane Murga, explained that after learning about the lack of filtration capacity of the masks, they have been removed from hospitals and "work is being done to identify, follow and take measures to minimize risks to the health personnel who have used these masks".

In a few days, the Director of Health Planning, Management and Evaluation of the Basque Government, Mikel Sánchez, has reported that the coronavirus test has been carried out to 2,274 workers who have been able to use these faulty masks. Of these, 64 have been positive. Once these data have been provided, it has indicated that there will be a thorough follow-up of those who have tested negative, “to ensure the safety of professionals and patients”.

Despite more than two miles of testing, more than 13,000 Respirator Mask N95 masks were distributed to Osakidetza staff, the Basque Government reported. In the hospitals of Álava and Gipuzkoa, they have dressed the health professionals, who have been replaced by police.

The incident has been denounced by various Ertzaintza trade unions. They stress that since the onset of the coronavirus, health workers have been working in defenceless conditions.

Also in Navarra defective face masks

The LAB syndicate has also denounced that health workers in Navarre have also been working with ineffective masks. According to the union, on April 12, workers informed the Nursing Care Management that FFPP 2 masks with green envelope were defective, but they had to spend five days until the masks were removed, a period in which the workers worked unprotected.

The trade union has called for an investigation to clarify the reasons why so much has been expected of the removal of masks and how they have reached the workers.