Parallel trends in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and retail/recreation and public transport mobility during non-lockdown periods

• Published in: International journal of infectious diseases Vol. 104; pp. 693 - 695
• Main Authors: Cazelles, Bernard, Comiskey, Catherine, Nguyen-Van-Yen, Benjamin, Champagne, Clara, Roche, Benjamin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Canada Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2021; Elsevier; The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of International Society for Infectious Diseases
• Subjects: Basic Reproduction Number; COVID-19; COVID-19 - prevention & control; COVID-19 - transmission; Effective reproduction number; Emerging diseases; Human health and pathology; Humans; Infectious diseases; Life Sciences; Mobility; Public Health; Quarantine; Recreation; Santé publique et épidémiologie; SARS-CoV-2; Short Communication; Transmission; Travel; Mobility; SARS-Cov-2; Effective reproduction number; Transmission
• ISSN: 1201-9712; 1878-3511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.01.067

•A strong relationship was found between transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 and mobility during the period between the first two waves of the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic.•Trends in mobility and viral transmission evolved almost in parallel during this period.•Tracking changes in mobility patterns would help public health authorities to anticipate increases in transmission.•This result is important from a public health perspective when relaxing mitigation measures. Recent literature strongly supports the hypothesis that mobility restriction and social distancing play a crucial role in limiting the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). During the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, it was shown that mobility restriction reduced transmission significantly. This study found that, in the period between the first two waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was high positive correlation between trends in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and mobility. These two trends oscillated simultaneously, and increased mobility following the relaxation of lockdown rules was significantly associated with increased transmission. From a public health perspective, these results highlight the importance of tracking changes in mobility when relaxing mitigation measures in order to anticipate future changes in the spread of SARS-CoV-2.