A study in Singapore found that the most effective physical distancing measures to slow down the spread of SARS-CoV2 infection include quarantine plus school closure and workplace distancing.

A modeling study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of physical distancing interventions in reducing the spread of COVID-19 infections in a simulated setting in Singapore.

The study found that the combined approach comprising workplace distancing, school closure and quarantine of infected individuals and their families to be the most effective intervention.

The next best option is quarantine plus workplace distancing, followed by quarantine plus school closure and then quarantine only.

The combined approach could reduce the estimated median number of infections by 99.3% at relatively low levels of infectivity when basic reproductivity value (R0) is 1.5.

But when the asymptomatic cases in the population in more than 7.5%, the study suggested focusing on the quarantining and treatment of infected individuals.

At higher asymptomatic rates, the researchers recommended the implementation of public education and case management strategies along with the development of existing drug therapies and vaccines.

The asymptotic rate and the estimates of time between symptom onset and hospital admission were based on SARS-CoV because the epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 have not been determined in certain terms.

KEY POINTS

1. A recent study in Singapore found that a combination of physical distancing approaches that include school closure, workplace distancing and quarantine may prevent the spread of COVID-19.
2. When basic reproductivity value (R0) is 1.5, the combined approach may reduce infections by 99.3%
3. It is important to consider ethical and economic issues when implementing physical distancing interventions.

“Should local containment measures be unsuccessful, the results of this study provide policymakers in Singapore and other countries with evidence to begin the implementation of enhanced outbreak control measures that could mitigate or reduce local transmission rates if deployed effectively and in a timely manner,” says Dr. Alex R. Cook of the National University of Singapore.

Article source: https://bit.ly/2xEDUxp
Image source: ACTide

#ObservationalStudy, #COVID-19, #PhysicalDistancing, #SARS-CoV2

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