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The months-long coronavirus epidemic is taking its toll on the economy and population around the world. However, some countries have managed to contain the coronavirus, or at least significantly reduce new cases of COVID-19. No country can boast a complete elimination of the coronavirus yet, but some are coping well with the difficult situation.
There are new reports from New Zealand – the local transmission of the coronavirus has stopped, and the state is easing the restrictions related to the epidemic. For the last few days in New Zealand they are only listed isolated cases of new coronavirus infections. In total, there are just over 1500 COVID-19 cases and 19 deaths. Although the coronavirus has not yet been completely defeated, the country decides to ease the restrictions slightly.
So far, New Zealand has been subject to grade 4 restrictions in connection with the coronavirus, which were introduced at an early stage of the epidemic in the country, between 25 and 26 March. Schools, offices and smaller businesses, as well as borders were then closed. Quarantine for people entering the country, contact tracing, and large-scale coronavirus testing have been introduced.
New Zealand’s harsh preventive measures have proven to be successful because they were put in place quickly, according to experts. The second positive factor was the country’s location on the island, which made it easier to close borders and control the spread of infection.
Due to the fact that the situation in New Zealand has improved significantly over the past few weeks, the state announced on Monday that it would drop to the 3rd level of restrictions, i.e. relax preventive measures. As of Tuesday (April 28), New Zealand is resuming operation to some extent by some businesses, healthcare and education centers. As announced by the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, the goal is to start the economy, but social distance still in force.
The COVID-19 epidemic is slowing down in Australia
Australia is also coping well with the coronavirus epidemic. The first cases were recorded in January, and a few days later, preventive measures were gradually introduced. Australia’s borders closed on March 20, followed by restrictions on gatherings, social distancing, and the operation of venues. Three weeks after the introduction of the third degree of restrictions, the situation seems to be under control. As a rule, there are no more than 10 new cases of COVID-19 per day.
As John Mathews, a professor at the University of Melbourne, noted, even being successful in the fight against the coronavirus does not guarantee that a second wave of cases, as exemplified by Singapore, will not hit. Lifting precautions too quickly and bad luck can make even a good strategy against COVID-19 ineffective.
Read more: Australia on track to win the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic
The epidemiological situation in Taiwan (nearly 24 million inhabitants) could turn out to be serious, especially considering the island’s location nearby the main source of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus outbreak, that is Hubei Province. To date, however, there have only been just over 400 COVID-19 cases and six disease-related deaths.
In Taiwan, a center responsible for limiting the coronavirus epidemic was established in January. He took care of introducing travel restrictions and implementing quarantine protocols. The government decided to monitor the production and distribution of face masks in order to limit the over-buying of protective equipment. Phone tracking methods and heavy fines for non-quarantine violators have also been introduced.
The strong precautionary measures in place in Taiwan are the result of previous epidemic experience as it was the SARS epidemic in 2003.
Check: The biggest epidemics in recent years: coronavirus, SARS, avian flu, Ebola
Flattening the disease curve in Germany
Compared to the examples presented above, coronavirus outbreak in Germany it has brought about many more illnesses and deaths. However, it is a country that, compared to other European countries controlled by COVID-19 on such a scale, is recovering from the epidemic crisis unscathed. Statistics from the beginning of the pandemic to Friday 24 April show that there were 5575 deaths in Germany during this time, while in France there were over 21, in Spain over 22 and in Italy 25,5.
At the start of April COVID-19 incidence curve in Germany, it began to flatten out. Previously, the number of daily illnesses even exceeded 6. cases, and currently remains at the level of 1–2 thousand. and a downward trend is visible.
The first restrictions were introduced in Germany in March, which made it possible to reduce the extent of the virus. According to an infectious disease expert at Monash University, Professor Allen Cheng, a country as large as Germany owes its success in the fight against the coronavirus to universal tests. So far, over 2 million of them have been made, which gives over 24 thousand. tests per million people.
Where else has the COVID-19 epidemic slowed down?
The situation related to the COVID-19 epidemic is improving not only in New Zealand, Australia, Germany and Taiwan. For a long time there has been peace in mainland China, much less cases are also found, among others, in South Korea, Norway or Iceland. Nevertheless, governments are not withdrawing all restrictions and are still cautious because the epidemic threat is still not over, and a moment of inattention may be conducive to a re-outbreak.
Have a question about the coronavirus? Send them to the following address: [email protected]. You will find a daily updated list of answers HERE: Coronavirus – frequently asked questions and answers.
Read also:
- Why does Hong Kong keep bans while there are no more new cases of the coronavirus?
- How Greece is fighting the Coronavirus? It has one of the lowest disease rates
- The worst is still ahead of us? Coronavirus in Africa