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Review
. 2020 Jul:96:233-239.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.04.035. Epub 2020 Apr 29.

COVID-19-We urgently need to start developing an exit strategy

Eskild Petersen  1 , Sean Wasserman  2 , Shui-Shan Lee  3 , Unyeong Go  4 , Allison H Holmes  5 , Seif Al-Abri  6 , Susan McLellan  7 , Lucille Blumberg  8 , Paul Tambyah  9
Affiliations
Review

COVID-19-We urgently need to start developing an exit strategy

Eskild Petersen et al. Int J Infect Dis. 2020 Jul.

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this perspective is to review the options countries have to exit the draconian "lockdowns" in a carefully staged manner.

Methods: Experts from different countries experiencing Corona Virus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19) reviewed evidence and country-specific approaches and the results of their interventions.

Results: Three factors are essential: 1. Reintroduction from countries with ongoing community transmission; 2. The need for extensive testing capacity and widespread community testing, and 3. An adequate supply of personal protective equipment, PPE, to protect health care workers. Discussed at length are lifting physical distancing, how to open manufacturing and construction, logistics, and the opening of higher educational institutions and schools. The use of electronic surveillance is considered.

Conclusion: Each country should decide on the best path forward. However, we can learn from each other, and the approaches are, in reality, very similar.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Korea. From Korean CDC (see KCDC, 2020a).
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Daily number of new cases in South Africa and cumulated number of cases. Confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa (12 April 2020). Source: https://www.coronapp.co.za/.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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