Posted: March 10th, 2024

Differences in disease management: coronavirus in four countries

Differences in disease management: coronavirus in four countries

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that emerged in China in late 2019 and has since spread to more than 200 countries and territories. The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued guidance on the clinical management, surveillance, infection prevention and control, laboratory testing, and public health response to COVID-19. However, different countries have adopted different strategies and measures to contain the virus and mitigate its impact on their health systems and populations. This essay will compare and contrast the disease management of COVID-19 in four countries: China, South Korea, Italy, and Kenya.

China was the first country to report cases of COVID-19 and the epicenter of the initial outbreak. China implemented a series of strict and comprehensive measures to control the transmission of the virus, including lockdowns, travel restrictions, mass testing, contact tracing, isolation, quarantine, and social distancing. China also mobilized its health workforce and resources to provide care for patients with COVID-19, especially in the hardest-hit areas such as Wuhan. China also shared its experience and data with the international community and supported other countries with medical supplies and expertise. As a result of these efforts, China has largely contained the domestic spread of the virus and has reported a low number of cases and deaths compared to other countries (WHO, 2020a).

South Korea was one of the first countries outside China to experience a large-scale outbreak of COVID-19, mainly linked to a religious sect in Daegu. South Korea responded swiftly and effectively to the outbreak by implementing a strategy of “test, trace, isolate, and treat”. South Korea expanded its testing capacity and conducted widespread and accessible testing for COVID-19, using both conventional and innovative methods such as drive-through and walk-through testing centers. South Korea also used digital technology and big data to trace contacts of confirmed cases and enforce quarantine measures. South Korea also provided adequate care for patients with COVID-19, both in hospitals and in community treatment centers. South Korea’s approach has been praised for its transparency, efficiency, and success in flattening the curve of the epidemic (Park et al., 2020).

Italy was the first European country to face a major outbreak of COVID-19 and one of the most affected countries in the world. Italy faced several challenges in managing the disease, such as an aging population, a high burden of chronic diseases, a decentralized health system, and limited resources. Italy adopted a national lockdown and other restrictive measures to slow down the transmission of the virus, but these were implemented later than in other countries and were not always followed by the public. Italy also struggled to provide adequate care for patients with COVID-19, especially in the northern regions where the health system was overwhelmed by the surge of cases. Italy also faced shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE), ventilators, beds, staff, and drugs. Italy has since improved its response by increasing its testing capacity, strengthening its primary care network, enhancing its data collection and analysis, and coordinating its actions at different levels of governance (Remuzzi & Remuzzi, 2020).

Kenya is a low-income country in Africa that has reported a relatively low number of cases and deaths from COVID-19 compared to other countries in the region. Kenya has taken proactive and preventive measures to prevent the introduction and spread of the virus, such as closing its borders, suspending international flights, imposing curfews and lockdowns, banning gatherings, promoting hygiene and mask-wearing,
and launching public awareness campaigns. Kenya has also increased its testing capacity and established isolation facilities for patients with COVID-19. However, Kenya faces several challenges in managing the disease, such as limited resources, weak health infrastructure, inadequate PPE and drugs, high poverty levels, social inequalities, population density, informal settlements, food insecurity, and co-existing diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and malnutrition. Kenya also faces difficulties in enforcing compliance with preventive measures due to socio-cultural factors, economic hardships, misinformation,
and stigma (Njenga et al., 2020).

In conclusion, this essay has compared and contrasted the disease management of COVID-19 in four countries: China,
South Korea,
Italy,
and Kenya.
These countries have shown different strengths
and weaknesses
in their responses
to the pandemic,
depending on their context,
resources,
capabilities,
and challenges.
The essay has also highlighted some of the common lessons learned
and best practices
that can inform future preparedness
and response
to similar public health emergencies.

References:

Njenga MK et al. (2020). Why is there low morbidity/mortality of COVID-19 in Africa? American Journal of Tropical Medicine
and Hygiene 103(2): 564-569. https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.20-0474

Park SY et al. (2020). Coronavirus disease outbreak in call center, South Korea. Emerging Infectious Diseases 26(8): 1666-1670. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2608.201274

Remuzzi A & Remuzzi G (2020). COVID-19 and Italy: what next? The Lancet 395(10231): 1225-1228. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30627-9

WHO (2020a). COVID-19 situation update for the WHO Western Pacific Region, 15 December 2020. https://www.who.int/westernpacific/emergencies/covid-19/situation-reports

WHO (2020b). Critical preparedness, readiness and response actions for COVID-19. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/critical-preparedness-readiness-and-response-actions-for-covid-19