Publication: COVID-19 in Germany and China: mitigation versus elimination strategy
Issued Date
2021-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
16549880
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-85099957558
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Mahidol University
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SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Global Health Action. Vol.14, No.1 (2021)
Suggested Citation
Guangyu Lu, Oliver Razum, Albrecht Jahn, Yuying Zhang, Brett Sutton, Devi Sridhar, Koya Ariyoshi, Lorenz von Seidlein, Olaf Müller COVID-19 in Germany and China: mitigation versus elimination strategy. Global Health Action. Vol.14, No.1 (2021). doi:10.1080/16549716.2021.1875601 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/78835
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Title
COVID-19 in Germany and China: mitigation versus elimination strategy
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.