#alternate alternate alternate alternate publisher alternate ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ * Food * Fitness * Wellness * Parenting * Vital Signs Edition * U.S. * International * Arabic * Español (BUTTON) (BUTTON) * Food * Fitness * Wellness * Parenting * Vital Signs ____________________ (BUTTON) Search Edition * U.S. * International * Arabic * Español __________________________________________________________________ * World + Africa + Americas + Asia + Australia + China + Europe + India + Middle East + United Kingdom * US Politics + 2020 Election + Facts First + Election 101 * Business + Markets + Tech + Media + Success + Perspectives + Videos * Health + Food + Fitness + Wellness + Parenting + Vital Signs * Entertainment + Stars + Screen + Binge + Culture + Media * Tech + Innovate + Gadget + Foreseeable Future + Mission: Ahead + Upstarts + Work Transformed + Innovative Cities * Style + Arts + Design + Fashion + Architecture + Luxury + Beauty + Video * Travel + Destinations + Food and Drink + Stay + News + Videos * Sports + Football + Tennis + Equestrian + Golf + Skiing + Horse Racing + Motorsport + Formula E + Esports * Videos + Live TV + Digital Studios + CNN Films + HLN + TV Schedule + TV Shows A-Z + CNNVR * Features + Call to Earth + Freedom Project + Impact Your World + Inside Africa + 2 Degrees + CNN Heroes + All Features * Weather + Climate + Storm Tracker + Wildfire Tracker + Video * More + Photos + Longform + Investigations + CNN Profiles + CNN Leadership + CNN Newsletters + Work for CNN __________________________________________________________________ Follow CNN * * * Physical distancing measures could reduce new Covid-19 cases by 13% By Andrea Kane, CNN Updated 1951 GMT (0351 HKT) July 16, 2020 These social distancing tips can help you stay safe outside These social distancing tips can help you stay safe outside JUST WATCHED These social distancing tips can help you stay safe outside Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH (16 Videos) These social distancing tips can help you stay safe outside She doesn't know her grandson died during the pandemic CNN reporter participates in Covid-19 vaccine trial Dr. Fauci explains importance of vaccine approval process John Ayers looks through eviction documents as his eviction date looms. John Ayers looks through eviction documents as his eviction date looms. 'I need help': Unemployed man facing eviction coronavirus vaccine hesitancy tennessee rural country reeve pkg lead vpx_00002530 coronavirus vaccine hesitancy tennessee rural country reeve pkg lead vpx_00002530 Tennessee pastor falsely claims 'Covid-19 is not a pandemic' Fired coronavirus data scientist discusses judge who approved raid GOP council member explains why she fought for mask mandate How vaccines will be distributed in rural areas of US sara sidner nevada field hospital unit 1209 sara sidner nevada field hospital unit 1209 CNN correspondent goes inside field hospital Trump called 'fake' alex azar hhs vaccine distribution newday camerota vpx _00000412.png alex azar hhs vaccine distribution newday camerota vpx _00000412.png Azar explains how first vaccine doses will be distributed in US How social media sites are tackling vaccine misinformation Nurses care for a COVID-19 positive patient at UMass Memorial Hospital on December 4, 2020 in Worcester, Massachusetts. - UMass Memorial Hospital had to convert one of their cardiac step down units into a COVID-19 ICU due to the surge in patients. The United States recorded more than 210,000 Covid-19 cases in 24 hours on Thursday, according to Johns Hopkins University, in an all-time high for the country since the start of the pandemic. (Photo by allison dinner and Allison Dinner / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON DINNER/AFP via Getty Images) Nurses care for a COVID-19 positive patient at UMass Memorial Hospital on December 4, 2020 in Worcester, Massachusetts. - UMass Memorial Hospital had to convert one of their cardiac step down units into a COVID-19 ICU due to the surge in patients. The United States recorded more than 210,000 Covid-19 cases in 24 hours on Thursday, according to Johns Hopkins University, in an all-time high for the country since the start of the pandemic. (Photo by allison dinner and Allison Dinner / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON DINNER/AFP via Getty Images) US tops more than 15 million coronavirus cases Erika Becerra died from Covid-19 three weeks after giving birth to her healthy son. Erika Becerra died from Covid-19 three weeks after giving birth to her healthy son. Mom dies of Covid-19 before meeting newborn "Bill" William Shakespeare, 81, receives the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, at University Hospital, Coventry, England, Tuesday Dec. 8, 2020. The United Kingdom, one of the countries hardest hit by the coronavirus, is beginning its vaccination campaign, a key step toward eventually ending the pandemic. (Jacob King/Pool via AP) "Bill" William Shakespeare, 81, receives the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, at University Hospital, Coventry, England, Tuesday Dec. 8, 2020. The United Kingdom, one of the countries hardest hit by the coronavirus, is beginning its vaccination campaign, a key step toward eventually ending the pandemic. (Jacob King/Pool via AP) William Shakespeare among first Britons to receive coronavirus vaccine Rebekah Jones appears in an CNN interview on June 24. Rebekah Jones appears in an CNN interview on June 24. Florida police raid home of former Covid-19 scientist (CNN)Physical distancing measures can help slow down the spread of the novel coronavirus, according to a new analysis out of the United States and the United Kingdom. But one expert cautioned that the findings, however "politically convenient" they might be, are based on flawed data and should not be thought of as conclusive, but rather suggestive. Social distancing means standing 6 feet apart. Here's what that actually looks like Social distancing means standing 6 feet apart. Here's what that actually looks like Social distancing means standing 6 feet apart. Here's what that actually looks like With currently almost 13.5 million confirmed cases worldwide and a lack of effective treatment or a vaccine, "the most pragmatic recommendation has been to advise physical distancing (referred to by some as social distancing) to minimize person-to-person transmission with a view to flattening the epidemic curve," wrote the study authors, led by Dr. Nazrul Islam, Oxford University physician-epidemiologist and medical statistician. But there hasn't been much data to show whether it works or not. So the researchers gathered and analyzed information on daily reported cases from 149 countries or regions both before and after five different physical or social distancing measures were put into place. Read More The measures were: school closures, workplace closures, public transport closures, restrictions on mass gatherings and lockdown restrictions on people's movement within countries or regions. Real-world data: pros and cons They found that on average, any physical distancing measure was associated with an overall reduction in Covid-19 incidence of 13% over the study period. Restriction on mass gatherings, in combination with school and workplace closure, appeared to be a key component associated with a decrease in Covid-19 incidence, they reported in a study published Thursday in the BMJ. Social distancing and masks reduce risk of getting Covid-19, review finds Social distancing and masks reduce risk of getting Covid-19, review finds Social distancing and masks reduce risk of getting Covid-19, review finds On the other hand, closing public transport was not associated with any additional benefit when the other four measures were already in place, suggesting that public transport could remain open "especially for those working in vital services, including health, care giving and emergency response roles." The order in which these measures were put in place did not appear to matter, but when the estimates from all the countries were pooled together, the researchers found a greater reduction in incidence of Covid-19 was associated with earlier, rather than later, implementation of lockdown. In an accompanying editorial, Thomas May, a research professor at the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine at Washington State University, praised the researchers for using real-world data in their modeling, but pointed out that this strength is also problematic. "Unfortunately, using such results is also the study's greatest weakness, making analysis dependent on the quality of the data from testing. Specifically, the authors relied on 'daily reported cases' compiled from 149 independent countries; data subject to variable quality, accuracy and inconsistent testing practices," May wrote. "As a result, caution is warranted when interpreting the findings," he added. Get CNN Health's weekly newsletter Sign up here to get The Results Are In with Dr. Sanjay Gupta every Tuesday from the CNN Health team. As an example, he points out that data from the United States, is "less than ideal" due to variation in testing practices from location to location, a lack of tests earlier in the pandemic and the lumping together of antibody testing from testing for active disease -- all of which weaken the associations that can be drawn. Although the study provides support for physical distancing, it "cannot be definitive for the reasons outlined." But, he added, the measures probably are effective. * * * * * * * ____________________ (BUTTON) Search * World + Africa + Americas + Asia + Australia + China + Europe + India + Middle East + United Kingdom * US Politics + 2020 Election + Facts First + Election 101 * Business + Markets + Tech + Media + Success + Perspectives + Videos * Health + Food + Fitness + Wellness + Parenting + Vital Signs * Entertainment + Stars + Screen + Binge + Culture + Media * Tech + Innovate + Gadget + Foreseeable Future + Mission: Ahead + Upstarts + Work Transformed + Innovative Cities * Style + Arts + Design + Fashion + Architecture + Luxury + Beauty + Video * Travel + Destinations + Food and Drink + Stay + News + Videos * Sports + Football + Tennis + Equestrian + Golf + Skiing + Horse Racing + Motorsport + Formula E + Esports * Videos + Live TV + Digital Studios + CNN Films + HLN + TV Schedule + TV Shows A-Z + CNNVR * Features + Call to Earth + Freedom Project + Impact Your World + Inside Africa + 2 Degrees + CNN Heroes + All Features * Weather + Climate + Storm Tracker + Wildfire Tracker + Video * More + Photos + Longform + Investigations + CNN Profiles + CNN Leadership + CNN Newsletters + Work for CNN __________________________________________________________________ Follow CNN * * * __________________________________________________________________ * Terms of Use * Privacy Policy * Accessibility & CC * AdChoices * About Us * Modern Slavery Act Statement * Advertise with us * CNN Store * Newsletters * Transcripts * License Footage * CNN Newsource * Sitemap © 2020 Cable News Network.A Warner Media Company.All Rights Reserved.CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network. 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