Impacts and effectiveness of quarantine in the outbreak of covid-19: a comparison among pandemics

Abstract

The new coronavirus outbreak needs measures of epidemiological containment. In view of the impact of quarantine on society, a study is needed to elucidate its effectiveness, applicability and impacts on previous and current epidemics. The aim of the study was to analyze the differences in the applicability of isolation, quarantine and community contingency, based on other epidemics and the impacts caused by quarantine. Literature review of the last 5 years was made, researched on the platforms “New England”, “The Lancet” and “PubMed”, and publications of the World Health Organization, epidemiological bulletins from the Ministry of Health and specific articles. The impacts of measures on previous epidemics were discussed. An individuality of each pathogen and its context generated different control actions. The psychological impacts of imposing quarantine were more damaging when its duration was longer than necessary and without adequate support. Quarantine was proven to be effective in the current pandemic. It should be analyzed as editions brought by other epidemics. Quarantine impacts must be compensated for a minimum of reduction. Other actions to reduce the epidemic curve must be implemented, with the current difficulty reduced in traditional measures.