China’s move to lock up the city of Wuhan, ground zero lockdown for the global COVID-19 pandemic, could have stopped more than 700,000 new cases by halting the virus spread, researchers said Tuesday. According to a report by researchers in China, the United States and the UK, published in the journal Science, drastic Chinese protection steps in the first 50 days of the outbreak bought precious time from other cities around the world to plan and implement their own controls. By day 50 of the outbreak — February 19 — there were 30 thousand confirmed cases in China, said one of the paper’s reporters, Oxford fellow Christopher Dye.

To investigate the spread of the virus, the researchers used a combination of case reports. Along with public health information and cell phone location monitoring. Penn State Biology Professor Ottar Bjornstad said the phone monitoring offered a “fascinating” new data source. This is another of the authors of the study states. The time period they were researching included the biggest holiday in China, the Lunar New Year.

The Wuhan shutdown has postponed the virus ‘arrival in other cities. Their model has shown, allowing them time to plan, among other steps. This is by restricting public gatherings and closing entertainment venues. Nearly half of mankind ask to stay home. This is to prevent the virus ‘spread, and lockdowns quickly normalizing.

But the decision sees a drastic escalation in the battle. This is against infection when Beijing first shut down Wuhan more than two months ago. With the city’s restrictions removes gradually and life inching closer to normal. The problem for China and other countries across the globe is what will occur once movement resumes.