Estimating the Impact of Statewide Policies to Reduce Spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in Real Time, Colorado, USA

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic necessitated rapid local public health response, but studies examining the impact of social distancing policies on SARS-CoV-2 transmission have struggled to capture regional-level dynamics. We developed a susceptible-exposed-infected-recovered transmission model, parameterized to Colorado, USA-specific data, to estimate the impact of coronavirus disease-related policy measures on mobility and SARS-CoV-2 transmission in real time. During March.June 2020, we estimated unknown parameter values and generated scenario-based projections of future clinical care needs. Early coronavirus disease policy measures, including a stay-at-home order, were accompanied by substantial decreases in mobility and reduced the effective reproductive number well below 1. When some restrictions were eased in late April, mobility increased to near baseline levels, but transmission remained low (effective reproductive number <1) through early June. Over time, our model's parameters were adjusted to more closely reflect reality in Colorado, leading to modest changes in estimates of intervention effects and more conservative long-term projections.

Automated summary

The study conducted in Colorado showed that early policy measures related to COVID-19 significantly decreased mobility and reduced virus transmission, with the effective reproductive number falling below 1. Although mobility increased to near baseline levels after some restrictions were lifted, transmission remained low. As the model parameters were adjusted to better reflect the reality in Colorado over time, there were modest changes in estimates of intervention effects and more conservative long-term projections.