Guangyu LuOliver RazumAlbrecht JahnYuying ZhangBrett SuttonDevi SridharKoya AriyoshiLorenz von SeidleinOlaf MüllerEdinburgh Medical SchoolUniversität HeidelbergUniversität BielefeldMahidol UniversityNagasaki UniversityYangzhou UniversityMinistry of Housing2022-08-042022-08-042021-01-01Global Health Action. Vol.14, No.1 (2021)165498802-s2.0-85099957558https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/78835Background: 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.Mahidol UniversityMedicineReviewSCOPUS10.1080/16549716.2021.1875601