7 August 2020 - The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted normal life and had significant consequences for human health, with more than 4.6 million cases and more than 150 000 deaths in the US alone as of early August 2020.

Preventive public health measures such as mask usage, physical distancing, and enhanced sanitation procedures are necessary to alleviate strain on the health system and reduce community transmission, while advances in therapeutic development have potentially improved clinical outcomes for patients with severe illness. 

However, minimising the risk of resurgence and enabling a safe return to normal life will require a majority of the population to develop immunity against SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the virus that causes COVID-19). Acceptably achieving this level of herd immunity quickly will likely require the development of safe and effective vaccines.

Read JAMA Viewpoint