Restrictions on contacts were among the first measures taken by governments to limit the corona pandemic. A US study suspects that we will have it for a long time.
- The Corona * pandemic required strict government action
- To curb been contact restrictions imposed
- A US study fears that they will accompany us for a long time
- Here you will find the basic facts about the corona virus * and the corona news from Germany. You can also find current case numbers in Germany here as a map *. The following recommendations for corona protective measures * are currently available.
Munich - Social distance instead of closeness: Many governments * around the world are currently demanding strict compliance with various regulations to curb the spread of the corona virus. An end to the strict measures no longer seems too far away, the federal government is already advising on easing. In Austria, some stores are also allowed to open again.
But there is a risk of another shutdown . A second wave of infection could come. US researchers therefore suspect that contact restrictions and thus social distance will be necessary in further phases.
Coronavirus: Social distance could return in phases
The study by scientists at the University of Harvard assumes that a single phase of social distance will not be enough to curb the spread of Sars-CoV-2 . In order to reach a level that is sustainable for hospitals in the medium term, further phases are necessary until 2022, says study author Stephen Kissler .
As long as no treatment methods and no vaccine * have been found, contact blocks are still necessary, the researchers said. Their investigation is based on the assumption that Covid-19 could occur seasonally in the future . That means: Especially in the winter months, a high number of infected people would be expected - similar to the flu.
Coronavirus: Harvard scientists study spread of Covid-19
The scientists calculated their research using computer models and published it in the scientific journal Science. Recurring massive clusters of infected people would overload hospitals, as is now the case especially in the United States. Social distance and exit restrictions can flatten the infection curve and are therefore probably always necessary.
There are no drugs and vaccines yet. It is also unclear whether people who are already infected will be permanently immune to Covid-19. The researchers concede factors that could influence the study. Experts currently believe that infected people may be immune for around a year.
mak / afp
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