Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

July 2, 2020

Low-Impact Social Distancing Interventions to Mitigate Local Epidemics of SARS-CoV-2

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  • [pre-print, not peer reviewed] Jackson estimated the impact of interventions chosen for their minimal disruption to economic and social activity on mitigating the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in King County, Washington. Interventions considered were (a) encouraging telecommuting; (b) reducing contacts with seniors and nursing home residents; (c) modest reductions to contacts outside of the home; (d) encouraging self-isolation of persons with COVID-19 symptoms; (e) rapid testing and household quarantining.  
  • No individual intervention reduced COVID-19 hospitalizations by more than 12.7% (95%CI 12.0-13.3%). Combining interventions would reduce total hospitalizations by 48% (47-49%), with peak COVID-19 hospital occupancy of 70% of total beds. Targeted school closures could further reduce the peak occupancy. 

Jackson. (July 2, 2020). Low-Impact Social Distancing Interventions to Mitigate Local Epidemics of SARS-CoV-2. Pre-print downloaded July 2 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.06.30.20143735