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Review
. 2023 May 1;29(3):184-190.
doi: 10.1097/MCP.0000000000000949. Epub 2023 Mar 1.

Nonpharmaceutical interventions for managing SARS-CoV-2

Caitriona Murphy  1 , Jessica Y Wong  1 , Benjamin J Cowling  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Nonpharmaceutical interventions for managing SARS-CoV-2

Caitriona Murphy et al. Curr Opin Pulm Med. .

Abstract

Purpose of review: Initial response strategies to the COVID-19 pandemic were heavily reliant on nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), a set of measures implemented to slow or even stop the spread of infection. Here, we reviewed key measures used during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recent findings: Some NPIs were successful in reducing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Personal protective measures such as face masks were widely used, and likely had some effect on transmission. The development and production of rapid antigen tests allowed self-diagnosis in the community, informing isolation and quarantine measures. Community-wide measures such as school closures, workplace closures and complete stay-at-home orders were able to reduce contacts and prevent transmission. They were widely used in the pandemic and contributed to reduce transmission in the community; however, there were also negative unintended consequences in the society and economy.

Summary: NPIs slowed the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and are essential for pandemic preparedness and response. Understanding which measures are more effective at reducing transmission with lower costs is imperative.

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Conflict of interest statement

B.J.C. has consults for AstraZeneca, Fosun Pharma, GSK, Haleon, Moderna, Pfizer, Roche, and Sanofi Pasteur. The remaining authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Box 1
Box 1
no caption available
FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
The intended effects of nonpharmaceutical interventions. Delaying the start of the epidemic or the epidemic peak can buy more time to expand the healthcare capacity while other NPIs aim to reduce the epidemic peak to allow the healthcare system to manage infections. The total number of infections between the two curves do not necessarily have to differ, instead, the epidemic curve with NPIs is spread over a longer period of time.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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