WHAT IS FLATTENING THE CURVE

What is flattening the curve?

The word 'curve' in this context refers to the projected number of people who will be infected over time. More specifically, the curve actually comes from the line in a chart demonstrating the spread of a virus with and without protective measures. A dotted line through the curves on the graph represents the peak capacity of the health care system to care for a projected number of patients.

 

If the anticipated number of infections surges, it is represented on the chart by the steep curve. Flattening of this curve means slowing the spread of the virus over time. This looks like a lower, smoother (flattened) curve on the chart.

 

To fight any pandemic, the eventual aim is stop the spread of the infection. But, slowing the spread is equally critical. It reduces the number of active infections, and thereby prevents frontline systems (doctors, police and other such professionals) from being overwhelmed. Slowing the spread of the infection gives additional time to prepare and respond.

 

Flattening the curve is a public health strategy to slow down the spread of the viral infection. Among its benefits, first, it helps lower the total number of infections during the course of a pandemic. Flattening the curve early on means fewer deaths on account of the pandemic. If individuals and communities take steps to slow the spread of the virus, the number of infections stretches out across a longer period of time. In the case of the Covid-19 pandemic, countries can flatten the curve through strict enforcement of social distancing, and good hygiene, among other measures.What is

 

Flattening the curve

 

In an epidemic or pandemic, public health experts and organisations like the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) track the number of confirmed cases, deaths and recovered cases. They also monitor how fast or slow is the rate at which these numbers are growing.

 

What is flattening the curve?

 

The word 'curve' in this context refers to the projected number of people who will be infected over time. More specifically, the curve actually comes from the line in a chart demonstrating the spread of a virus with and without protective measures. A dotted line through the curves on the graph represents the peak capacity of the health care system to care for a projected number of patients.

 

If the anticipated number of infections surges, it is represented on the chart by the steep curve. Flattening of this curve means slowing the spread of the virus over time. This looks like a lower, smoother (flattened) curve on the chart.

 

To fight any pandemic, the eventual aim is stop the spread of the infection. But, slowing the spread is equally critical. It reduces the number of active infections, and thereby prevents frontline systems (doctors, police and other such professionals) from being overwhelmed. Slowing the spread of the infection gives additional time to prepare and respond.

 

Flattening the curve is a public health strategy to slow down the spread of the viral infection. Among its benefits, first, it helps lower the total number of infections during the course of a pandemic. Flattening the curve early on means fewer deaths on account of the pandemic. If individuals and communities take steps to slow the spread of the virus, the number of infections stretches out across a longer period of time. In the case of the Covid-19 pandemic, countries can flatten the curve through strict enforcement of social distancing, and good hygiene, among other measures.