Quarantine in COVID-19 Pandemic: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Coronavirus is a rapidly emerging infectious disease of respiratory tract which has been declared a pandemic by World health Organization. The virus spread quickly between close contacts or thought coughing and sneezing of the infected person. A few months after the first case was reported in Wuhan, China, the disease quickly turned into a pandemic. World health experts are already actively searching for a cure or vaccine for this disease, but before that, many countries around the world are considering mass quarantine measures as a method to combat its spread. This necessitates application of strict measures to control this pandemic. As of now there is no treatment to cure this disease. Therefore prevention of spread of disease remains the mainstay of combating it. One of the emergency public health measures that have been used extensively to control this pandemic is quarantine. Even though on long term basis, quarantine may have its advantages and disadvantages which has to be considered when practicing the same. This review focuses on rational behind the quarantine, its indications, the set-up or infrastructure required and the ethical implication for quarantine. It also reviews the psychological impact of quarantine and its effectiveness as a public health measure.