ABSTRACT
Public health and social measures (PHSM) are preventative measures taken by individuals, communities and government institutions at national and local levels to prevent and reduce transmission of an infectious disease - in this instance SARS-CoV-2. The decision to introduce, adapt or lift PHSM should be based primarily on a situational assessment of the intensity of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and the capacity of the health system to respond to subsequent increases in hospital admissions, but must also consider the effects these measures may have on the general welfare of society and individuals. The WHO Regional Office for Europe developed an online public health and social measures (PHSM) calibration tool to assist Member States in decision-making relating to PHSM implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The tool, designed to be used primarily by policy-makers in national and local government authorities, provides guidance based on a situational-level assessment framework that is determined by the level of community transmission and the overall capacity of health systems and public health services within a country or region to respond. By using a combination of country-reported and user-input data, the tool automatically generates a situational assessment and corresponding PHSM guidance for users, summarized in a downloadable report. Reference https://phsm.euro.who.int/calibrationTool
ABSTRACT
Public health and social measures (PHSM) have been utilized as a tool to reduce the infection rates and disease burden throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to play an important role even with vaccination campaigns well underway in preventing severe disease. In order to systematically track, analyze and report qualitative and quantitative data o PHSM implementation across the European Region and assist countries in the COVID-19 response, the COVID-19 Incident Management Support team at the WHO Regional Office for Europe developed PHSM Severity Index and PHSM Dashboard. The PHSM Severity Index captures the types, severity and timing of PHSMs implemented by a country across six main indicators. By providing standardized data on PHSM implementation, the PHSM Severity Index can support and inform the development of policy at country and regional levels. PHSM data, severity methodology and policy tools developed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic should be adapted to provide a foundation for preparedness for future large-scale health emergencies. In addition, discerning the epidemiological impact of specific PHSM and their combinations currently is a priority for policy-makers and can guide countries’ transition strategies. Analysing the impact of PHSM on COVID-19 transmission is of critical importance, especially as variants of concern bring new waves of COVID-19 cases and may challenge countries’ vaccination and response strategies. Reference PHSM in Response to COVID-19 (who.int)