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Earlier lockdown restrictions linked to greater reduction in new COVID-19 cases - July 2020

  • Funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
  • Total publications:0 publications

Grant number: C19-IUC-504

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Key facts

  • Disease

    COVID-19

  • Funder

    UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

  • Principal Investigator

    Prof. Martin White

  • Research Location

    United Kingdom

  • Lead Research Institution

    MRC Epidemiology Unit

  • Research Priority Alignment

    N/A

  • Research Category

    Infection prevention and control

  • Research Subcategory

    Restriction measures to prevent secondary transmission in communities

  • Special Interest Tags

    N/A

  • Study Type

    Non-Clinical

  • Clinical Trial Details

    N/A

  • Broad Policy Alignment

    Pending

  • Age Group

    Not Applicable

  • Vulnerable Population

    Not applicable

  • Occupations of Interest

    Not applicable

Abstract

A BMJ paper by Dr Nazrul Islam and colleagues - including senior author Professor Martin White at the MRC Epidemiology Unit - examines the association between implementation of physical distancing interventions and new cases of COVID-19 in 149 countries and regions. Their findings show that physical distancing measures, such as closing schools, workplaces, and public transport, restricting mass gatherings, and restrictions on people's movement within countries or regions ('lockdown'), were associated with an overall reduction of 13% in new COVID-19 cases in a study period of up to 30 days after implementation of the measures. The data also shows that implementing physical distancing measures earlier was associated with a greater reduction in new cases, and that in combination with school and workplace closure, restriction on mass gatherings seemed to be a key component associated with a decrease in COVID-19 incidence.