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COVID-19 in Germany and China: mitigation versus elimination strategy

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 cas...

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Main Authors: Lu, Guangyu (Author) , Razum, Oliver (Author) , Jahn, Albrecht (Author) , Zhang, Yuying (Author) , Sutton, Brett (Author) , Sridhar, Devi (Author) , Ariyoshi, Koya (Author) , von Seidlein, Lorenz (Author) , Müller, Olaf (Author)
Format: Article (Journal)
Language:English
Published: 20 Jan 2021
In: Global health action
Year: 2021, Volume: 14, Pages: 1-11
ISSN:1654-9880
DOI:10.1080/16549716.2021.1875601
Online Access:Verlag, lizenzpflichtig, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2021.1875601
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Author Notes:Guangyu Lu, Oliver Razum, Albrecht Jahn, Yuying Zhang, Brett Sutton, Devi Sridhar, Koya Ariyoshi, Lorenz von Seidlein & Olaf Müller
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Summary: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.
Item Description:Gesehen am 23.04.2022
Physical Description:Online Resource
ISSN:1654-9880
DOI:10.1080/16549716.2021.1875601

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