A study in Spain has found a lower rate of COVID-19 infection among essential workers who were not confined to their homes compared to those in isolation.
“This should lead to a reflection on the role of general confinement,” wrote Didier Raoult of France on Twitter.
Raoult, an infectious-disease expert, has become known worldwide for his studies on the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin to treat COVID-19.
Physician James Todaro also drew attention on Twitter to the study, noting antibody testing in Spain estimate that about 5% of the population is infected with the coronavirus.
The study found that those in quarantine trended toward a higher infection rate than those out in the workforce, 6.3% vs 5.3%.
Todaro also said the study “challenges the idea that lockdowns protect the elderly.”
For those over 60, 6.3% of those in quarantine were infected compared to 4.8% who were not.
Governement study about COVID-19 seroprevalence in Spain: among workers, those who had an “essential profession” and continued working were less infected than those staying at home. This should lead to a reflection on the role of general confinement. https://t.co/rMaFSLH8eR pic.twitter.com/4pvoTGPiaz
— Didier Raoult (@raoult_didier) May 14, 2020
BREAKING COVID-19 antibody testing in Spain estimates ~5% infected
-Those in quarantine trended toward a higher infection rate than those working (6.3% vs 5.3%)
-Higher rate of infection in those OVER age 60 (6.1% vs 4.8%)
Challenges the idea that lockdowns protect the elderly pic.twitter.com/Uh2W49AV45
— James Todaro, MD (@JamesTodaroMD) May 14, 2020
