Border controls, restricted entry, and quarantine for inbound travellers are essential for stopping not just COVID-19, but any future pandemic, in its tracks, finds a review of the available published evidence on early infection control in the online journal BMJ Open.

The key findings by the researchers will help to inform the present and future strategies for all countries in dealing with a pandemic similar to Covid.

Comprehensive case finding, repeat testing to rule out false results, apps and use of GPS data to enable contact tracing and self isolation, as well as financial support are also key elements in any policies to curb the spread of infection.

The Covid virus had certain features which has made it particularly transmissible. Looking at the infection stats and deaths in countries across the world is an indicator of those who put in place measures early and those, like the UK, that waited and unfortunately for us, responded to it originally as if it was like flu.

There have been, so far, nearly 4 million deaths directly attributable to Covid across the world. The UK is ranked as one of the worst in the world with 128,162, or 1,878 per million of the population. In contrast, Vietnam has had 81 deaths, or 0.8 per million of their population. Hong Kong 211 deaths, or 28 per million.

And the virus, with its many mutations and because it is so easy to spread has resulted in new cases cropping up now in countries that were dealing really well with it. Thailand has had a recent surge in new cases and sadly in deaths. Their total deaths recorded due to Covid now stands at 2,080 or 30 per million.

This pandemic is certainly not over and has a long way to run yet.

The researchers systematically reviewed international studies, published in the English language, which evaluated contact tracing, testing, self-isolation and quarantine on COVID-19 management.

Some 118 studies, covering the periods May 2019 to May 2020, June 2020, and January 2021, were included in the review.

The results showed that the best strategies for a successful FTTIS to rapidly control COVID-19 (and other pandemics) early on include:

• Border controls, restricted entry, and inbound traveller quarantine
• Testing those most at risk, such as healthcare workers and care home residents
• Repurposing an existing laboratory network plus creating new testing sites to meet demand. Pooled testing can be used to improve testing efficiency; repeated testing to minimise falsely negative results
• Use of smartphone apps and GPS data for contact tracing and monitoring compliance with self-isolation
• Timely and adequate information to reduce uncertainty and anxiety; financial support to enable people to stick to infection control regulations
• Seamless integration of all the components; linked health service data at local, regional, and national level through real-time data sharing and dashboards
• Regular press conferences by the central outbreak control team to update the public on the progress of the pandemic, changes in policies and to correct misinformation
• Open and balanced discussions on public concerns, such as personal data privacy, protection, and curbs on personal freedoms for the public good
• Short to medium term plans, with regular reviews to respond rapidly to emerging challenge

“Our findings can inform policy in future pandemics,” conclude the researchers. And they “may inform countries considering implementing these measures.”