Direct and indirect effects of the covid-19 pandemic and response in South Asia

Strategies for control, prevention and management of COVID-19

Given the current global trajectory of the pandemic, we might be living with COVID-19 for the foreseeable future (for the best part of 2021 and potentially into 2022). In the absence of an effective vaccine or clinical treatments, COVID-19 prevention and management methods will continue to rely on non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as targeted “smart” lockdowns and use of masks, as well as health systems strengthening to successfully resolve severe cases. Even after a vaccine or an effective treatment has been found, it will take time for it be produced and made available globally and at scale (63).

Until then, non-pharmaceutical interventions are the world’s best defense against COVID-19.

© UNICEF/India/UN0377935/Panjwani/2020