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Review
. 2021 Jan 1;14(1):1875601.
doi: 10.1080/16549716.2021.1875601.

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

Guangyu Lu  1 , Oliver Razum  2 , Albrecht Jahn  3 , Yuying Zhang  1 , Brett Sutton  4 , Devi Sridhar  5 , Koya Ariyoshi  6 , Lorenz von Seidlein  7 , Olaf Müller  3
Affiliations
Review

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

Guangyu Lu et al. Glob Health Action. .

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.

Keywords: COVID-19; China; Germany; health policy; pandemic.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Number of COVID-19 cases reported weekly by WHO Region, 30 December 2019 through 13 December 2020
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Number of COVID-19 deaths reported weekly by WHO Region, 30 December 2019 through 13 December 2020
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
COVID-19 control interventions in China and number of laboratory-confirmed cases from 20 January to 20 December 2020
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Covid-19 control interventions in Germany and number of laboratory-confirmed cases and deaths from 28 January to 20 December 2020
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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