Reduction in effective reproduction number of COVID-19 is higher in countries employing active case detection with prompt isolation

Chaiwat Wilasang; Chayanin Sararat; Natcha C Jitsuk; Noppamas Yolai; Panithee Thammawijaya; Prasert Auewarakul; Charin Modchang

doi:10.1093/jtm/taaa095

Reduction in effective reproduction number of COVID-19 is higher in countries employing active case detection with prompt isolation

J Travel Med. 2020 Aug 20;27(5):taaa095. doi: 10.1093/jtm/taaa095.

Authors

Chaiwat Wilasang¹, Chayanin Sararat¹, Natcha C Jitsuk¹, Noppamas Yolai¹, Panithee Thammawijaya², Prasert Auewarakul³, Charin Modchang^{1

4}

Affiliations

¹ Biophysics Group, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
² Division of Innovation and Research, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand.
³ Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
⁴ Centre of Excellence in Mathematics, CHE, Ministry of Education, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.

Abstract

Countries that implemented liberal testing with active case finding and prompt isolation, combined with contact tracing and quarantine, were more successful in reducing the reproduction number compared to countries that primarily relied on social distancing and lockdown measures.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; contact tracing; containment; lockdown; quarantine; testing; travel restrictions.

Publication types

Letter

MeSH terms

Basic Reproduction Number
Betacoronavirus
COVID-19
Case Management / organization & administration*
Contact Tracing*
Coronavirus Infections / diagnosis
Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology
Coronavirus Infections / prevention & control*
Coronavirus Infections / transmission
Humans
Pandemics / prevention & control*
Patient Isolation*
Pneumonia, Viral / diagnosis
Pneumonia, Viral / epidemiology
Pneumonia, Viral / prevention & control*
Pneumonia, Viral / transmission
Quarantine
SARS-CoV-2
Travel