Nutritional Advice El Mondo
Objectives:
Is there an association between physical distancing interventions and reductions in incidence of coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19) globally?
Study design:
This review article included studies in 149 countries or regions.
Individual countries or regions that implemented 1 of the 5 physical distancing interventions (closures of schools, workplaces and public transport, restrictions on mass gatherings and public events and restrictions on movement (lockdowns)) between 1 January and 30 May 2020.
Results and conclusions:
The investigators found, on average, implementation of any physical distancing intervention was associated with an overall reduction in covid-19 incidence of 13% [IRR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.85 to 0.89, I2 = 19%, n = 149 countries].
The investigators found the rate of reduction in incidence of covid-19 was similar with the 5 physical distancing measures implemented together [pooled IRR = 0.87, 0.85 to 0.90, n = 118 countries] compared with changes in incidence in countries with 4 measures implemented [pooled IRR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.82 to 0.89, n = 25 countries].
The investigators found closure of public transport was not associated with any additional reduction in covid-19 incidence when the other 4 physical distancing interventions were in place [pooled IRR with and without public transport closure = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.82 to 0.88, n = 72 and 0.87, 95% CI = 0.84 to 0.91, n = 32, respectively].
The investigators found data from 11 countries also suggested similar overall effectiveness [pooled IRR 0.85, 95% CI = 0.81 to 0.89] when school closures, workplace closures and restrictions on mass gatherings were in place.
The investigators found in terms of sequence of interventions, earlier implementation of lockdown was associated with a larger reduction in covid-19 incidence [pooled IRR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.84 to 0.89, n = 105 countries) compared with a delayed implementation of lockdown after other physical distancing interventions were in place [pooled IRR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.87 to 0.94, n = 41 countries].
The investigators concluded physical distancing interventions in 149 countries are associated with on average a 13% reduction in the incidence of covid-19 globally. However, there is no evidence of an additional effect of public transport closure when 4 other physical distancing measures (school closures, workplace closures, restrictions on mass gatherings and lockdown) are in place. Earlier implementation of lockdown is associated with a larger reduction in the incidence of covid-19. These findings might support policy decisions as countries prepare to impose or lift physical distancing measures in current or future epidemic waves.
Original title:
Physical distancing interventions and incidence of coronavirus disease 2019: natural experiment in 149 countries by Islam N, Sharp ST, […], White M.
Link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7360923/
Additional information of El Mondo:
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