Repeated periods of social distancing may still be required until 2022 as coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is likely here to stay, a study from Harvard University predicted.
In a report by The National, a team from Harvard released a computer simulation in the journal Science that assumes the disease will become seasonal and will have higher transmission rates in colder months or winter season.
According to lead author Stephen Kissler from Harvard’s TH Chan School of Public Health, a one-time lockdown or implementation of social distancing measures will not be enough to alleviate COVID-19, because the virus will most probably not go away in the coming months or even years.
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“We found that one-time social distancing measures are likely to be insufficient to maintain the incidence of Sars–CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) within the limits of critical care capacity in the United States,” The National quoted him.
He added that since there are still no proper treatments against COVID-19, the best solution would be to practice social distancing in the colder periods of the year. However, the scientist said more research is needed to conclude this study, including the immunity of recovered patients as well as how long it should last.
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