As the novel coronavirus pandemic continues to upend lives across the world and leaves governments scrambling to take containment measures, one phrase is fast turning into a rallying cry to minimise losses from the disease — 'Flatten the curve'.

The phrase refers to a specific graph that shows the number of COVID-19 cases over time.

The graphic, created the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and adapted by population health researcher Drew Harris, reflects how a spike in cases in a short period of time could inundate healthcare systems and why delaying infections through protective measures is crucial.

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