Nonpharmaceutical interventions reduce the incidence and mortality of COVID‐19: A study based on the survey from the International COVID‐19 Research Network (ICRN)
Authors: Park Seung Hyun , Hong Sung Hwi , Kim Kwanghyun , Lee Seung Won , Yon Dong Keon , Jung Sun Jae , Abdeen Ziad , Ghayda Ramy Abou , Ahmed Mohamed Lemine Cheikh Brahim , Serouri Abdulwahed Al , Al‐Herz Waleed , Al‐Shamsi Humaid O. , Ali Sheeza , Ali Kosar , Baatarkhuu Oidov , Nielsen Henning Bay , Bernini‐Carri Enrico , Bondarenko Anastasiia , Cassell Ayun , Cham Akway , Chua Melvin L. K. , Dadabhai Sufia , Darre Tchin , Davtyan Hayk , Dragioti Elena , East Barbora , Edwards Robert Jeffrey , Ferioli Martina , Georgiev Tsvetoslav , Ghandour Lilian A. , Harapan Harapan , Hsueh Po‐Ren , Mallah Saad I. , Ikram Aamer , Inoue Shigeru , Jacob Louis , Janković Slobodan M. , Jayarajah Umesh , Jesenak Milos , Kakodkar Pramath , Kapata Nathan , Kebede Yohannes , Khader Yousef , Kifle Meron , Koh David , Maleš Višnja Kokić , Kotfis Katarzyna , Koyanagi Ai , Kretchy James‐Paul , Lakoh Sulaiman , Lee Jinhee , Lee Jun Young , Mendonça Maria da Luz Lima , Ling Lowell , Llibre‐Guerra Jorge , Machida Masaki , Makurumidze Richard , Memish Ziad A. , Mendoza Ivan , Moiseev Sergey , Nadasdy Thomas , Nahshon Chen , Ñamendys‐Silva Silvio A. , Yongsi Blaise Nguendo , Nicolasora Amalea Dulcene , Nugmanova Zhamilya , Oh Hans , Oksanen Atte , Owopetu Oluwatomi , Ozguler Zeynep Ozge , Parperis Konstantinos , Perez Gonzalo Emanuel , Pongpirul Krit , Rademaker Marius , Radojevic Nemanja , Roca Anna , Rodriguez‐Morales Alfonso J. , Roshi Enver , Saeed Khwaja Mir Islam , Sah Ranjit , Sakakushev Boris , Sallam Dina E. , Sathian Brijesh , Schober Patrick , Ali P. Shaik Syed , Simonović Zoran , Singhal Tanu , Skhvitaridze Natia , Solmi Marco , Subbaram Kannan , Tizaoui Kalthoum , Tlhakanelo John Thato , Torales Julio , Torres‐Roman Junior Smith , Tsartsalis Dimitrios , Tsolmon Jadamba , Vieira Duarte Nuno , Rosa Sandro G. Viveiros , Wanghi Guy , Wollina Uwe , Xu Ren‐He , Yang Lin , Zia Kashif , Zildzic Muharem , Il Shin Jae , Smith Lee 
Published: November 2022

The recently emerged novel coronavirus, “severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2),” caused a highly contagious disease called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). It has severely damaged the world's most developed countries and has turned into a major threat for low‐ and middle‐income countries. Since its emergence in late 2019, medical interventions have been substantial, and most countries relied on public health measures collectively known as nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). We aimed to centralize the accumulative knowledge of NPIs against COVID‐19 for each country under one worldwide consortium. International COVID‐19 Research Network collaborators developed a cross‐sectional online survey to assess the implications of NPIs and sanitary supply on the incidence and mortality of COVID‐19. The survey was conducted between January 1 and February 1, 2021, and participants from 92 countries/territories completed it. The association between NPIs, sanitation supplies, and incidence and mortality were examined by multivariate regression, with the log‐transformed value of population as an offset value. The majority of countries/territories applied several preventive strategies, including social distancing (100.0%), quarantine (100.0%), isolation (98.9%), and school closure (97.8%). Individual‐level preventive measures such as personal hygiene (100.0%) and wearing facial masks (94.6% at hospitals; 93.5% at mass transportation; 91.3% in mass gathering facilities) were also frequently applied. Quarantine at a designated place was negatively associated with incidence and mortality compared to home quarantine. Isolation at a designated place was also associated with reduced mortality compared to home isolation. Recommendations to use sanitizer for personal hygiene reduced incidence compared to the recommendation to use soap. Deprivation of masks was associated with increased incidence. Higher incidence and mortality were found in countries/territories with higher economic levels. Mask deprivation was pervasive regardless of economic level. NPIs against COVID‐19 such as using sanitizer, quarantine, and isolation can decrease the incidence and mortality of COVID‐19.