2 Approaches To Combating COVID-19
Mitigation
What a case curve looks like (Tennessee)
- Methods: Testing of symptomatic people, contact tracing and isolation help slow the transmission rate. Mask wearing, social distancing and stay-home orders used as needed.
- Effect: Cases go down temporarily, but many infections remain undetected and outbreaks can spike as social distancing is loosened.
- Target: 10% or fewer tests come back positive.
Suppression
What a case curve looks like (Italy)
- Methods: Regular proactive testing of asymptomatic people in high-risk situations, paired with contact tracing and isolation. Mask-wearing, social distancing and hand-washing are still practiced.
- Effect: Cases are detected and isolated before outbreaks can grow. New cases dwindle and remain at or near zero.
- Target: 3% or fewer tests come back positive.