Global basic reproduction number of COVID-19 is 4

Objectives:
There are large knowledge gaps regarding how transmission of 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) occurred in different settings across the world. Therefore, this review article has been conducted.

What is the basic reproduction number (R₀) of COVID-19?

Study design:
This review article included 43 articles. The selected studies covered 5 countries from Asia, 5 countries from Europe, 12 countries from Africa and 1 from North America, South America and Australia each.

Exponential growth rate model was most favored by researchers.

There was no publication bias.

Results and conclusions:   
The investigators found the pooled global R₀ was 4.08 [95% CI = 3.09 to 5.39].
The R₀ estimates for new and shifting epicenters were comparable or even higher than that for the original epicenter Wuhan, China.

The investigators concluded that the global basic reproduction number (R₀) of COVID-19 is 4. The high R₀ values suggest that an extraordinary combination of control measures is needed for halting COVID-19.

Original title:
Assessment of basic reproductive number for COVID-19 at global level: A meta-analysis by Yu CJ, Wang ZX, [...], Qin G.

Link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8104145/

Additional information of El Mondo:
Find more information/studies on coronavirus right here.

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