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COVID-19 Down Under: Australia’s Initial Pandemic Experience

Author

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  • Matthew James Cook

    (Global Studies Institute, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
    Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Bouverie Street, Carlton, VIC 3053, Australia)

  • Gabriela Guizzo Dri

    (Global Studies Institute, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland)

  • Prishanee Logan

    (Global Studies Institute, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland)

  • Jia Bin Tan

    (Global Studies Institute, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland)

  • Antoine Flahault

    (Institute of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland)

Abstract

The following case study aims to provide a broad overview of the initial Australian epidemiological situation of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. We provide a case presentation of Australia’s current demographic characteristics and an overview of their health care system. The data we present on Australia’s COVID-19 situation pertain to the initial wave of the pandemic from January through to 20 April 2020. The results of our study indicate the number of reported COVID-19 cases in Australia reduced, and Australia initially managed to successfully flatten the curve—from an initial doubling time of 3.4 days at the end of March 2020 to a doubling time of 112 days as of 20 April 2020. Using SEIR mathematical modelling, we investigate a scenario assuming infections increase once mitigation measures are lifted. In this case, Australia could experience over 15,000 confirmed cases by the end of April 2020. How Australia’s government, health authorities and citizens adjust to preventative measures to reduce the risk of transmission as well as the risk of overburdening Australia’s health care system is crucial. Our study presents the initial non-pharmaceutical intervention measures undertaken by the Australian health authorities in efforts to mitigate the rate of infection, and their observed and predicted outcomes. Finally, we conclude our study by presenting the observed and expected economic, social, and political disruptions Australians may endure as a result of the initial phase of the pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthew James Cook & Gabriela Guizzo Dri & Prishanee Logan & Jia Bin Tan & Antoine Flahault, 2020. "COVID-19 Down Under: Australia’s Initial Pandemic Experience," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-19, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:23:p:8939-:d:454503
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Chris Clarkson & Zenobia Jacobs & Ben Marwick & Richard Fullagar & Lynley Wallis & Mike Smith & Richard G. Roberts & Elspeth Hayes & Kelsey Lowe & Xavier Carah & S. Anna Florin & Jessica McNeil & Dely, 2017. "Human occupation of northern Australia by 65,000 years ago," Nature, Nature, vol. 547(7663), pages 306-310, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Narelle Campbell & Sandra C. Thompson & Anna Tynan & Louise Townsin & Lauren A. Booker & Geoff Argus, 2021. "Silver Linings Reported by Australians Experiencing Public Health Restrictions during the First Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Report," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-10, October.
    2. Marika Vicziany & Leon Piterman & Naiyana Wattanapenpaiboon, 2024. "Is COVID-19 as Lethal as the Spanish Flu? The Australian Experience in 1919 and 2020 and the Role of Nonpharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(3), pages 1-23, February.
    3. Jia Bin Tan & Matthew James Cook & Prishanee Logan & Liudmila Rozanova & Annelies Wilder-Smith, 2020. "Singapore’s Pandemic Preparedness: An Overview of the First Wave of COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-21, December.
    4. Uxue Alfonso Viguria & Núria Casamitjana, 2021. "Early Interventions and Impact of COVID-19 in Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-15, April.
    5. Vivian Isaac & Teresa Cheng & Louise Townsin & Hassan Assareh & Amy Li & Craig S. McLachlan, 2021. "Associations of the Initial COVID-19 Lockdown on Self-Reported Happiness and Worry about Developing Loneliness: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Rural, Regional, and Urban Australian Communities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-11, September.

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