community spread

the outbreak of a contagious illness among the people of a particular region where the source of the infection is not easily traceable

Health officials are concerned about community spread, as many new cases have no known source of infection.
To prevent community spread, it is essential to follow social distancing guidelines and wear masks in public.
The rapid community spread of the virus has overwhelmed local hospitals and healthcare facilities.
Understanding the patterns of community spread can help authorities implement more effective containment measures.
Community spread of the disease indicates that the virus is widely circulating within the population, making containment more challenging.

Synonyms: