Social distancing and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 transmission: A case study from Araraquara, Sao Paulo, Brazil

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluates the impact of social distancing on the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). METHODS: Using data from the Brazilian Ministry of Health, we conducted an interrupted time series analysis to estimate the impact of lockdown on the number of daily cases of COVID-19 in Araraquara, Sao Paulo. RESULTS: Policy changes neutralized the positive trend of the disease. To provide more reliable evidence, we added two control cases from Aracatuba and Sao Carlos to the regression model, and the results remained consistent. CONCLUSIONS: Social distancing interventions are effective tools for flattening epidemic curves.