Russian workers sew masks to help fight virus

A textile factory in the Russian city of Chita operated by workers with disabilities has been refitted to produce reusable face masks to help combat the new coronavirus.

The factory is run by a local society that provides jobs to people with disabilities, including those with vision and hearing loss.

It usually produces goods including bedlinen and gloves but since last week has been converted and now produces about 800 face masks per day.

Local businesses, government offices, shops and pharmacies have reportedly placed orders on the new masks, as the city has faced a shortage, with all existing masks going to medical workers.

"There are no masks in pharmacies, so our factory, to help out everyone, needed to make sacrifices," Svetalana Beyina, a shop forewoman at the factory, said.

Local shops have already begun to stock the masks.

Russia has been forced to contend with shortages of medical masks and antiseptic solutions amid the worsening coronavirus outbreak.

The country has recorded 4,149 cases of the coronavirus as of Friday, and 34 people have died from the disease.

The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death.