Archive | 2021
Respond to the COVID-19 pandemic: strategies comparison in six countries
Abstract
\n Objective This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of the containment strategy and mitigation strategy taken by six countries.Methods We extracted publicly available data from various official websites, summarized the strategies implemented in these six countries, and assessed the effectiveness of the prevention and control measures adopted by these countries.Results Responding to an unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, China, South Korea, and Singapore adopted containment strategies, and China and Singapore had a similar epidemic curve and the new daily cases. As of December 31, 2020, the new daily cases of China and Singapore were below less than 100 with the mortality rates per 100,000 population 0.3% and 0.5% respectively. But the new daily cases of South Korea as high as 1029 with the mortality rates per 100,000 1.8%. In contrast, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France responded with mitigation strategies, and had similar epidemic curves and mortality rates per 100,000 population. The United States had up to 234,133 new confirmed cases per day and a mortality rate per 100,000 population was 107%, while the UK had 56,029 new confirmed cases per day and a mortality rate per 100,000 population was 108%, and France had 20,042 new cases per day, with a mortality rate per 100,000 population of 99%.Conclusions In response to the COVID-19 outbreak that is still spreading globally, countries can consider policy alternatives and novel solutions developed by other countries and adapt them base on their domestic circumstances and resources.