Epidemiological impact of revoking mask-wearing recommendation on COVID-19 transmission in Tokyo, Japan.

ABSTRACT: Despite the global implementation of COVID-19 mitigation measures, the disease continues to maintain transmission. Although mask wearing became one of the key measures for preventing the transmission of COVID-19 early in the pandemic period, many countries have relaxed the mandatory or recommended wearing of masks. The objective of the present study was to estimate the epidemiological impact of removing the mask-wearing recommendation in Japan. We developed a model to assess the consequences of declining mask-wearing coverage after the government revoked its recommendation in February 2023. The declining mask-wearing coverage was estimated using serial cross-sectional data, and a mathematical model was devised to determine the age-specific incidence of COVID-19 using the observed case coun

SUBMITTER: Nagata M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11382031 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature