COVID-19 protocols such as handwashing, mask wearing, and physical distancing are associated with reductions in the incidence of the viral disease, and should be continued alongside vaccination, according to a review of the latest evidence published in The BMJ on Thursday.
The review indicated a statistically significant 53 per cent reduction in the incidence of COVID-19 with mask wearing and a 25 per cent reduction with physical distancing.
However, the experts said more stringent measures, such as lockdowns and closures of borders, schools, and workplaces need further assessment to weigh their potential negative effects on general populations.
The team, including researchers from Monash University in Australia, analysed databases for studies that assessed the effectiveness of public health measures in reducing the incidence of COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 transmission, and mortality.
As many as 72 studies met their inclusion criteria, of which 35 evaluated individual public health measures and 37 assessed multiple public health measures.
Of the 35 studies of individual measures, 34 were observational and one was a randomised controlled trial.
They were carried out in Asia (11), the US (9), Europe (7), the Middle East (3), Africa (3), South America (1), and Australia (1).
Results from 8 of these 35 studies were analysed in detail, which indicated a statistically significant 53 per cent reduction in the incidence of COVID-19 with mask wearing and a 25 per cent reduction with physical distancing, the researchers said.
Handwashing also indicated a substantial 53 per cent reduction in COVID-19 incidence, although this was not statistically significant after adjusting for the small number of studies included, they said.
Detailed analysis was not possible for other measures, including quarantine and isolation, universal lockdowns, and closures of borders, schools, and workplaces, due to differences in study design, outcome measures and quality.
The researchers conclude that personal and social measures, including handwashing, mask wearing, and physical distancing are effective at reducing the incidence of COVID-19.
They noted that more stringent measures, such as lockdowns and closures of borders, schools, and workplaces "need to be carefully assessed by weighing the potential negative effects of these measures on general populations."
Further research is also needed to assess the effectiveness of public health measures after adequate vaccination coverage, said study lead author Stella Talic from Monash University.
(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Dear Reader,
Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance.
We, however, have a request.
As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed.
Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard.
Digital Editor
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU