Why social distance is vital

To stop the spread of the coronavirus, social interactions are limited worldwide. This infographic, based on calculations by Robert A. J. Signer, an associate Professor of medicine at the University of California, San Diego, shows how social distancing can reduce the spread of the virus.

Without changes in social behavior, one infected person will transmit the virus to 2.5 people on average within five days. In 30 days, this figure will increase to 406 new infections. The number can be significantly reduced. With a 50 percent reduction, the number of new infections caused by the average person after 30 days is only 15 people. A 75 per cent change will result in an even smaller number of 2.5 new cases, which will significantly reduce the burden on health services and, if followed by all, allow the country to "smooth the curve" of new infections.