COVID-19 Containment: Comparisons and Suggestions for Global Response

Abstract

Background The 2019-nCoV (COVID-19) is spreading at an alarming rate worldwide. Therefore, it is currently one of the biggest global health challenges. This research review describes the differences in response to the coronavirus epidemic between countries across the world. In addition, an opinion that the experience of China in response against the epidemic would play an important role globally in the battle against the novel coronavirus has been discussed as well as the insufficient and delayed response by other countries. Objectives To provide an overview of China’s experience in the control and prevention of the COVID-19, and compare it to that of other countries. Methods Relevant literature for this review was obtained from the Chinese government website; the World Health Organization website; Johns Hopkins University website; the European Centre for Disease Prevention website; and the PubMed databases. In addition, related news channels were used to obtain information. Results China’s experience in the fight against COVID-19 provides valuable insight into the handling of this epidemic, and suggests that promoting cooperation between countries is imperative for effective control and prevention measures against this global virus pandemic. Conclusions China’s experience suggests that the following measures were effective in the fight against COVID-19: “social isolation,” “medical observation,” “social distancing” or “limited contact with people,” “self-protection,” and combined modern public health intervention measures. These findings could help control outbreaks in other countries and regions across the world.