Novel Coronaviruses (n-CoV) commonly referred to as corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) belongs to the family of corona viruses that includes the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV) [1]. The recent outbreak of COVID-19 was initially reported in Wuhan, China. Currently, the virus has spread in over 210 territories and countries. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has increased over 1.8 million. While, the reported number of deaths associated with COVID-19 is over 117,000 according to CDC’s situation report 85 [2].
Signs and symptoms of n-CoV infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties that could worsen leading to pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and death. Elderly people are generally more prone to get infected from the corona virus as a result of systemic diseases such as diabetes, lung disease etc. coupled with weak immunity [3]. That is why death rate is highest among elderly population who got infected from the COVID-19 [4].
Standard recommendations in preventing the spread of infection include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and avoiding close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing. The n-CoV can survive on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days depending on the various factors like type of surface, temperature or humidity of the environment [5].
Based on world health organization (WHO) data, progression in the number of reported cases and percentage death toll differs in various countries [6]. Based on statistics high death toll is reported in some European countries as well as in USA. A large number of positive cases have been reported in these countries. Various steps have been adapted by different countries in order to control and stop the spread of virus. As of now, social distancing is the only recognized way to prevent the spread of the virus. Hence, countries are taking decisions based on their circumstances as well as learning from the experiences of other countries.
Partial or complete lockdown and even imposition of curfew are few of the methods adapted by governments for imposing social distancing.
China, Italy, Spain, France, etc. are among the countries that announced nationwide lockdown. While some countries like Singapore, Russia, Israel, Morocco etc opted for partial lockdown in which they provided space for basic social and economic activities. Few countries such as Dubai, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait have announced curfew. This curfew is also of two types; (1) 24 hours curfew and (2) curfew in specific hours [7]. Saudi Arabia is among those countries who have curfew in place and most of the major cities have 24 hours curfew. These countries have also stopped religious gathering in orders to prevent the spread of virus [8]. Hence, objectives of the present study were to analyze the (1) partial vs complete lock down effects over the spread of COVID-19, (2) time taken for complete lock down decision in relation with the spread of disease.