03/19/2020 In epidemiology, the curve refers to the projected number of new cases over a period of time.

In contrast to a steep rise of coronavirus infections, a more gradual uptick of cases will see the same number of people get infected, but without overburdening the health-care system at any one time. The idea of flattening the curve is to stagger the number of new cases over a longer period, so that people have better access to care.

It explains why so many countries are implementing draconian policies, such as social-distancing guidelines, “shelter in place” orders, restrictive travel measures and asking citizens to work or engage in schooling from home. “The whole goal of everything right now should be to cut transmission and to contain the virus as good as possible because the health systems globally cannot cope with a fast or quick or strong influx of many cases at one moment in time,” WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier told CNBC’s “Squawk Box Europe” on Thursday. “Hence we need to slow down the curve and slow down the spread and try to spread it over time as good as possible so that the health system can cope and production of vital medical equipment can cope,” he added.

How can the curve be flattened?

As there is no vaccine available for the coronavirus at present and testing remains relatively limited in many countries, the WHO has stressed the need for citizens to take collective action. The United Nations health agency has asked people around the world to wash their hands regularly, avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth, maintain social distancing, practice respiratory hygiene and seek medical care if they have a fever, cough or any difficulty breathing.

“One thing that is cutting transmission is testing, testing (and) testing every single patient and following up on them,” Lindmeier said, before adding that every single suspect case should also be tested. “The other is the various political measures, such as social distancing or quarantines.”

Selected from CNBC