Taiwan Government-Guided Strategies Contributed to Combating and Controlling COVID-19 Pandemic.

Chung-Chu Chen,Wai-Mau Choi,Cheng-Yin Tseng,Tsung-Hsien Su,Yu-Lin Tai,Chin-Yi Hsieh,Chien-Yu Lin,Shun-Long Weng,Ya-Chun Lee,Po-Huang Liu,Chih-Ming Chang

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2020.547423

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is highly contagious, and thus has become an emerging health crisis worldwide. The optimal strategies to prevent the spread of this disease are inconclusive, and therefore, the adopted measurements to combat COVID-19 varies in different countries. In mid-March and late-August 2020, we performed internet searches to collect relevant information, from sources such as the website of the World Health Organization. The epidemiological data of COVID-19 from several countries were collected and we found that Taiwan had a comparably successful story for combating the pandemic. As of mid-March, Taiwan had high rates of diagnostic testing (688.5 tests per million citizens) with a lower infection rate (49 cases, 2.1 cases per million people). As of late-August, there were 488 cases (20 cases per million people). Furthermore, Taiwanese government-guided strategies and hospital data were also reviewed. We summarized some important strategies to combat COVID-19, which include: (1) border control; (2) official media channel and press conferences; (3) name-based rationing system for medical masks; (4) TOCC-based rapid triage, outdoor clinics, and protective sampling devices; and (5) social distancing, delaying the start of new semesters, and religious assembly restriction. In conclusion, Taiwan had lower rates of COVID-19 compared with other countries, and Taiwan government-guided strategies contributed to the control of the disease's spread.

Highlights

In December 2019, novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was detected in central China and spread throughout the country and to the rest of the world rapidly [1,2,3,4]
We conducted this retrospective study to investigate the incidence of COVID-19 in some countries and the varying effects of government-guided strategies
As of mid-March 2020, we prospectively searched the websites of World Health Organization (WHO), Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC)—which is a key department under the Ministry of Health and Welfare and is responsible for disease prevention and control—and other websites to extract data regarding patient numbers and diagnostic tests of COVID-19 in some countries based on the epidemic conditions and completeness of publicly available data [1, 16,17,18]

Summary

INTRODUCTION

In December 2019, novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was detected in central China and spread throughout the country and to the rest of the world rapidly [1,2,3,4]. New technology, and proactive testing have been applied in Taiwan to combat COVID19 [14, 15]. These strategies may be collectively beneficial in reducing virus transmission. As of late August, there were more than 25 million confirmed cases worldwide; but Taiwan has a lower incidence of infection with only 488 cases reported in total. We conducted this retrospective study to investigate the incidence of COVID-19 in some countries and the varying effects of government-guided strategies. Reviewing these measurements and experiences may be helpful for policy makers and healthcare providers

STUDY DESIGN AND DATA COLLECTION

RESULTS

CONCLUSION

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT