Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a unique form of
severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus. SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted through exposure to
infectious respiratory fluids. Exposure to fluids containing the infected virus is the most
commonly known way through which people are infected. Exposure may be through inhalation
of respiratory droplets and aerosol particles, touching mucous membranes with soiled hands, or
deposition of exposed mucous membranes through the mouth, nose, or eyes. This paper aims to
explain the variability in estimating SARS CoV2 transmission and uses evidence from early
studies to suggest reasonable disease control measures. SARS-CoV-2 Transmission and Control Measures;
The article by Danis et al. (2020) sought to identify the secondary cases of SARS-CoV-2
and investigate how to interrupt its transmission. The authors found that the highest transmission
occurred within the area where the attack rate was extremely high, chalet. The article found that
the basic reproductive number for Covid-19 was found to range between 2-3, suggesting a super
spreading event. Some of the factors found to accelerate the rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection
include the behavior of individuals, proximity to one another, airflow dynamics, the host, and the
virus. Additionally, both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals had a similar viral load of
SARS-CoV-2, which suggested a transmission potential (Danis et al., 2020). According to Danis
et al. (2020), people are easily infected with picornavirus and influenza than SARS-CoV-2. The
transmission of infectious diseases such as SARS-CoV-2 can be interrupted through basic
hygiene, combined efforts between states, social distancing, isolation, quarantining and wearing
of facemasks Gudbjartsson et al. (2020) took to investigate how SARS-CoV-2 enters and spreads in the
population. The authors believe that Covid-19 was first diagnosed in Iceland, and thus they targeted people living in the country for testing. Testing was done among those with increased risk of the infection, including the asymptomatic, those who had a history of international travel, or close contacts of those infected. This study found that most people who had positive results had a history of recent travel to high-infected countries. They also found that children below ten were less likely to be diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 than their counterparts ten years and
older. Gudbjartsson et al. (2020) also found that women living in Iceland were less likely to test
positive for the infection than men. The article suggests that SARS-CoV-2 infections can be
contained through mass testing, isolation, tracking of close contacts, and self-quarantining. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2

Yong et al. (2020) noted that Singapore is one of the countries that have successfully
managed to contain the spread of Covid-19. The health officials achieve this through isolation of
infected people and quarantining their close contacts. However, the health officials had difficulty
establishing the source of the disease and ascertaining the extent of its spread. PCR tests
effectively diagnose SARS-CoV-2, although it can only detect the infection within the period of
viral shedding (Yong et al., 2020). Serological testing is another diagnostic tool, although it
detects suspected SARS-CoV-2 after individuals have recovered. IgM serological testing is yet
another commonly used method in diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 (Yong et al., 2020). Most people in
this study contracted the infection through close contact with asymptomatic cases, especially in
churches, schools, and workplaces. The risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission can be reduced if
asymptomatic people were asked not to attend events with huge crowds of people, not touching
contaminated surfaces, and practicing personal hygiene, and reducing physical contact (Yong et
al., 2020). SARS-CoV-2 Transmission and Control Measures;
Cheng et al. (2020) examined the transmission dynamics of Covid-19 and the risk of
transmission between people with varying periods of exposure both before and after exhibiting the disease symptoms. The authors found that the risk of Covid-19 transmission decreased over
time while that of developing SARS remained low until five days of symptom onset. The shorter
serial interval in Covid-19 is associated with a mix of early stages transmission and short periods
of infectiousness. According to Cheng et al. (2020), a similar viral load was noted in
symptomatic, minimally symptomatic, and asymptomatic patients. The effectiveness of isolation
and contact tracing as methods of containing the spread of Covid-19 decreased with the
increasing transmission that occurred before symptoms onset. However, social distancing and
proactive contact tracing would significantly reduce the transmission of the disease. The authors
noted that the provision of both N95 respirators and facemasks would go a long way in helping
prevent the spread of Covid-19 (Cheng et al., 2020). Read more
The article by Bi et al. (2020) measured the key metrics of the Covid-19 course, mode of
transmission, and the impacts of control measures. The authors compared cases of Covid-19
infection through contact tracing and symptomatic surveillance. The article also estimated the
time taken from confirmation of the disease to the symptoms to isolation up to admission in
hospital (Bi et al., 2020). The researchers found that the rate of infection is lower among
children. The covid-19 disease was found to have a short incubation period of between 4 -6 days
(Bi et al., 2020). However, the disease has a long clinical course meaning that patients take
longer to recover or die (Bi et al., 2020). The transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is catalyzed by close
contact with asymptomatic patients. In this study, children were equally at risk of being infected
as adults. Contact tracing, isolation, and personal hygiene were effective measures to reduce the
rate of Covid-19 infection (Bi et al., 2020). Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2