Interrupting transmission of COVID-19: lessons from containment efforts in Singapore

Vernon J Lee; Calvin J Chiew; Wei Xin Khong

doi:10.1093/jtm/taaa039

Interrupting transmission of COVID-19: lessons from containment efforts in Singapore

J Travel Med. 2020 May 18;27(3):taaa039. doi: 10.1093/jtm/taaa039.

Authors

Vernon J Lee^{1

2}, Calvin J Chiew¹, Wei Xin Khong¹

Affiliations

¹ Public Health Group, Ministry of Health, Singapore 169852.
² Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117549.

Abstract

Despite multiple importations resulting in local chains of transmission, Singapore has been able to control the COVID-19 outbreak without major disruption to daily living. In this article, we describe the combination of measures taken by Singapore to contain COVID-19 and share some early lessons learnt from the experience.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; contact tracing; importation; isolation; nonpharmaceutical interventions; quarantine; travel.

MeSH terms

Betacoronavirus
COVID-19
Communicable Disease Control / methods*
Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology
Coronavirus Infections / prevention & control*
Humans
Pandemics / prevention & control*
Pneumonia, Viral / epidemiology
Pneumonia, Viral / prevention & control*
Quarantine
SARS-CoV-2
Singapore / epidemiology