LONDON: The new study has suggested that measures like social distancing may be required globally until 2022 to stop the COVID-19 from spreading.
According to the study published in the Journal Science, a one-time social distancing measure is insufficient to maintain the number of COVID-19 under control.
The study also revealed that the virus might become seasonal, like closely related coronaviruses’ symptoms that cause the common cold, with higher transmission rates in colder months. However, much remains unknown that includes the level of immunity acquired by the previous infection and how long it lasts, the study stated.
The research suggested that the duration and severity of lockdowns can be relaxed as treatments and vaccines become available- which could take 12 to 18 months. However, in their absence, on and then off distancing will be the only way to control the situation.
Marc Lipsitch, a co-author of the study, said, “Infections spread when there are two things: infected people and susceptible people. Unless there is some enormously larger amount of gathering than we are aware of the majority of the population is still responsive.”
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