Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

May 11, 2020

Segmentation and shielding of the most vulnerable members of the population as elements of an exit strategy from COVID-19 lockdown

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  • Bunnik et al. found that adoption of a segmenting and shielding strategy to protect older adults and persons with underlying medical conditions could allow for partial exit from COVID-19 lockdown measures in the UK while limiting the risk of an overwhelming second wave of infection. 
  • The range of options for relaxation can be increased by maintaining restrictions and intensive routine screening of vulnerable populations and their closest contacts. The outcome of future policy is strongly influenced by the contact matrix between segments and the relationships between physical distancing measures and transmission rates. Close monitoring of the epidemic would be essential during and after the exit from lockdown. 

Bunnik et al. (May 8, 2020). Segmentation and shielding of the most vulnerable members of the population as elements of an exit strategy from COVID-19 lockdown. Pre-print downloaded May 11 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.05.04.20090597