What matters: non-pharmaceutical interventions for COVID-19 in Europe

Abstract

Objectives

The purpose of this study is to describe the situation of COVID-19 in European countries and to identify important factors related to prevention and control.

Methods

We obtained data from World Health Statistics 2020 and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). We calculated the Rt values of 51 countries in Europe under different prevention and control measures. We used lasso regression to screen factors associated with morbidity and mortality. For the selected variables, we used quantile regression to analyse the relevant influencing factors in countries with different levels of morbidity or mortality.

Results

The government has a great influence on the change in Rt value through prevention and control measures. The most important factors for personal and group prevention and control are the mobility index, testing, the closure of educational facilities, restrictions on large-scale gatherings, and commercial restrictions. The number of ICU beds and doctors in medical resources are also key factors. Basic sanitation facilities, such as the proportion of safe drinking water, also have an impact on the COVID-19 epidemic.

Conclusions

We described the current status of COVID-19 in European countries. Our findings demonstrated key factors in individual and group prevention measures.