Bacterial contamination on used face masks among nursing home healthcare personnel.

Objectives: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, face masks have been worn by many in public areas and for prolonged periods by healthcare workers (HCWs). This may facilitate bacterial contamination and transmission to and from patients in nursing homes where clinical care areas with strict precautions and residential and activity areas are interconnected. We assessed and compared bacterial mask colonization in HCWs belonging to different demographic categories and professions (clinical and nonclinical) and among HCWs who had worn the mask for different periods of time.