Lockdown containment measure for the COVID-19 prevention and control: a descriptive ecological study with data from February to August 2020 in South Africa, Germany, Brazil, Spain, United States, Italy and New Zealand

Abstract

Objective: To describe the lockdown measures and incidence of COVID-19 in South Africa, Germany, Brazil, Spain, United States, Italy and New Zealand. Methods: The descriptive ecological study with data on the daily incidence of confirmed cases of COVID-19, from February 22 to August 31, 2020 on COVID-19, and information on lockdown containment measures implemented by the governments of each country. Results: The countries that implemented lockdown, from the beginning of its implementation until three weeks later, had a decrease in the incidence (in cases per million inhabitants): South Africa (3.7 to 1.7), Germany (37.5 to 33.7) Spain (176.3 to 82.0), Italy (92.0 to 52.1) and New Zealand (7.5 to 1.7). As for Brazil and the United States, which did not implement lockdown, there was no considerable decrease. Conclusion: After the implementation of lockdown, there was a considerable decrease in the number of confirmed cases.