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Tag: flattening the curve

This literally means the graphical data of the projected number of people who will contract COVID-19 (or any other outbreak of diseases) over a period of time. The curve takes on different shapes, depending on the virus's infection rate. It could be a steep curve, in which the virus spreads exponentially (that is, case counts keep doubling at a consistent rate), and the total number of cases skyrockets to its peak within a few weeks. The faster the infection curve rises, the quicker the local health care system gets overloaded beyond its capacity to treat people. A flatter curve, on the other hand, assumes the same number of people ultimately get infected, but over a more extended period of time. A slower infection rate means a less stressed health care system, fewer hospital visits on any given day and fewer sick people being turned away.