Singapore coronavirus response offers lessons in reducing infections for the rest of the world, research shows
- Drastic steps combined can slash new infection numbers according to the study, the first of its kind in Singapore
- Quarantine, social distancing and school closures have less effect when asymptomatic people spread disease
Researchers from the National University of Singapore saw a dramatic drop in projected cases when all three physical distancing measures were taken together.
But they warned that if a large number of people in the community had no symptoms, or if infection rates were very high, the policies had a much reduced effect.
Singapore has used a policy of testing and tracing of Covid-19 patients to limit the virus spread, without ordering a widespread lockdown of society, as many cities and countries around the world have done.
But the city state on Tuesday announced new measures to shut down bars and other entertainment venues and cancel religious services and after-school activities, a day after reporting 54 new infections, bringing the total number of cases to 509.
The study, published in Lancet Infectious Diseases, is the first modelling study of its kind in Singapore. Researchers modelled the spread in four scenarios – when authorities quarantined people infected with Covid-19 and their families; quarantine plus immediate school closures; quarantine plus half of the workforce at home for two weeks; and a combination of all three.