JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Cumulative COVID-19 daily new cases dataset during January to April, 2020 were used to search for evidences of SARS-CoV-2 spreading patterns in the geographical regions with samples of Asia, South America, North America, Middle East, Africa and European countries. In order to understand the cause of constant infection rates for some countries, while others present very low daily new cases, this research investigated possible aerosols forming patterns in the atmosphere and its relation to policy measures adopted by selected countries.

Objective:

The main research question for this article is to show the differences that occur when countries in the period of analysis of January to April, 2020, presented when adopted physical distancing measures associated with mask use and city disinfection. The type of social distancing framework adopted by some countries without additional measures might represent a main model for the constant reproductive spread patterns of SARS-CoV-2 in the community transmission.

Methods:

This research has as main proposal the period of analysis from January to April, 2020, since during this period, the pandemic was in growth behavior among many countries and specifically China and South Korea presented a successful method to flatten the curve quickly. Following this path, the research focused on comparing some countries and the adopted policy used as a preventive framework for virus community transmission having as reference the policies adopted by China and South Korea. Countries social distancing policy aspect of one to two meters of physical distance, were compared from January to April 2020 in two groups. Countries implementing one to two meters of physical distance and China and South Korea, implementing distancing with additional transmission isolation with masks and city disinfection.

Results:

Concerning transmission isolation observed in China and South Korea during January to April, 2020 and the spreading patterns observed in other countries, the research identified virus transmission reduction due to the type of policies affecting the input-output of SARS-CoV-2 propagation over time. Therefore, with the adoption of social distancing methods of 1 to 2 meters physical distance with additional use of masks use and sanitization (city disinfection), remarkably, China and South Korea presented optimal results in contrast to other countries since beginning of epidemics with respect to atmosphere carrier potential of SARS-CoV-2 transmission.

Conclusions:

Finally, the findings indicate one more proof that social distancing of methods of 1 to 2 meters physical distance with masks and city disinfection have important role in policy making to be adopted globally as well as individual-scale preventive methods in order to reduce COVID-19 pandemics. Clinical Trial: No trial registration is applied for this study.