COVID-19: A review of the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions

COVID-19, a highly infectious disease, caused by a novel virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has brought about an unprecedented threat to global health. First reported in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, it has now spread to all continents of the world becoming a...

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Published in:The Nigerian postgraduate medical journal Vol. 27; no. 4; pp. 261 - 267
Main Authors: Odusanya, Olumuyiwa, Odugbemi, Babatunde, Odugbemi, Tinuola, Ajisegiri, Whenayon
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Nigeria Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd 01.10.2020
Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd
Subjects:
Betacoronavirus
Coronavirus Infections - therapy
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
Hand Hygiene
Humans
Masks
Nigeria
Non-pharmacological intervention
Pandemics
Pneumonia, Viral - therapy
Quarantine
SARS-CoV-2
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Social Isolation
Nigeria
non-pharmacological interventions
severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2
Coronavirus disease 2019
pandemic
epidemic
ISSN:1117-1936, 2468-6875
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:COVID-19, a highly infectious disease, caused by a novel virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has brought about an unprecedented threat to global health. First reported in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, it has now spread to all continents of the world becoming a pandemic. There is no known treatment or vaccine for it although many candidate drugs and vaccines are in various clinical trial phases. For now, non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs) have become the mainstay of response for COVID-19 and are being used across the world to flatten the epidemiologic curve with some success. This review focussed on identifying which NPIs have been effective. NPIs that are effective include isolation and quarantine, physical distancing, use of face masks and hand hygiene. These measures are best used in combination and simultaneously. The evidence is that they should be instituted early in the pandemic and for sustained periods. They should also be implemented in the context of the cultural and socioeconomic conditions of the populace. Ineffective NPIs include ultraviolet irradiation and spraying of outdoor spaces and individuals. We recommend that decision makers weigh the evidence carefully, as it applies to the local setting to inform public health decisions.
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ISSN:1117-1936
2468-6875
DOI:10.4103/npmj.npmj_208_20