World can expect to put pandemic behind it by December, say scientists using mathematical model created by Singapore University of Technology and Design

Published: May 23, 2020 at 8:36 p.m. ET, By Isabel Vincent

The U.S. could be free of the coronavirus in late September, and the whole world can expect to put the pandemic behind it in December, says a group of scientists in Singapore.

A mathematical model created by the Singapore University of Technology and Design is allowing the scientists to predict the future of the virus using data from already confirmed cases and deaths around the world.

Based on “a predictive-monitoring” technique, the model inputs global data, which is converted to a bar chart. A curve over the top of the chart displays the trajectory of the disease. At the end of April, its predictions showed that the U.S. would be virus-free by Sept. 20 and that the U.K. could see the end of the coronavirus by Aug. 27.

Scientists at the university cautioned that their dates were not exact and that the predictions should not lead to hasty ends of lockdowns around the world.

“Overoptimism based on some predicted end dates is dangerous because it may loosen our discipline and controls and cause the turnaround of the virus,” they said.

A version of this report appeared at NYPost.com.

Source: www.marketwatch.com