Can we contain the COVID-19 outbreak with the same measures as for SARS?
Prof Annelies Wilder-Smith, MD
Calvin J Chiew, MPH
Vernon J Lee, PhD
Published:March 05, 2020DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(20)30129-8
Summary
The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003 resulted in more than 8000 cases and 800 deaths. SARS was eventually contained by means of syndromic surveillance, prompt isolation of patients, strict enforcement of quarantine of all contacts, and in some areas top-down enforcement of community quarantine. By interrupting all human-to-human transmission, SARS was effectively eradicated.