COVID-19 in Germany and China: mitigation versus elimination strategy.
Glob Health Action
; 14(1): 1875601, 2021 01 01.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1059665
ABSTRACT
Background:
The COVID-19 pandemic shows variable dynamics in WHO Regions, with lowest disease burden in the Western-Pacific Region. While China has been able to rapidly eliminate transmission of SARS-CoV-2, Germany - as well as most of Europe and the Americas - is struggling with high numbers of cases and deaths.Objective:
We analyse COVID-19 epidemiology and control strategies in China and in Germany, two countries which have chosen profoundly different approaches to deal with the epidemic.Methods:
In this narrative review, we searched the literature from 1 December 2019, to 4 December 2020.Results:
China and several neighbours (e.g. Australia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Thailand) have achieved COVID-19 elimination or sustained low case numbers. This can be attributed to (1) experience with previous coronavirus outbreaks; (2) classification of SARS-CoV-2 in the highest risk category and consequent early employment of aggressive control measures; (3) mandatory isolation of cases and contacts in institutions; (4) broad employment of modern contact tracking technology; (5) travel restrictions to prevent SARS-CoV-2 re-importation; (6) cohesive communities with varying levels of social control.Conclusions:
Early implementation of intense and sustained control measures is key to achieving a near normal social and economic life.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Communicable Disease Control
/
Disease Outbreaks
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Reviews
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
/
Europa
Language:
English
Journal:
Glob Health Action
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
16549716.2021.1875601
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