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Effective COVID-19 Control: A Comparative Analysis of the Stringency and Timeliness of Government Responses in Asia

Author

Listed:
  • Shu Chen

    (ARC Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research (CEPAR), University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia
    School of Risk and Actuarial Studies, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia)

  • Lei Guo

    (Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA)

  • Taghred Alghaith

    (General Directorate for National Health Economics and Policy, Saudi Health Council, Riyadh 13315, Saudi Arabia)

  • Di Dong

    (Health, Nutrition and Population Global Practice, The World Bank, Washington, DC 20433, USA)

  • Mohammed Alluhidan

    (General Directorate for National Health Economics and Policy, Saudi Health Council, Riyadh 13315, Saudi Arabia
    Division of Health Research, Lancaster University, Bailrigg LA1 4YX, UK)

  • Mariam M. Hamza

    (Health, Nutrition and Population Global Practice, The World Bank, Washington, DC 20433, USA)

  • Christopher H. Herbst

    (Health, Nutrition and Population Global Practice, The World Bank, Washington, DC 20433, USA)

  • Xinqi Zhang

    (Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA)

  • Gabrielle Charis Alano Tagtag

    (Yale-NUS College, National University of Singapore, Singapore 138527, Singapore)

  • Yi Zhang

    (Health, Nutrition and Population Global Practice, The World Bank, Washington, DC 20433, USA)

  • Nahar Alazemi

    (General Directorate for National Health Economics and Policy, Saudi Health Council, Riyadh 13315, Saudi Arabia)

  • Rana Saber

    (General Directorate for National Health Economics and Policy, Saudi Health Council, Riyadh 13315, Saudi Arabia)

  • Reem Alsukait

    (Health, Nutrition and Population Global Practice, The World Bank, Washington, DC 20433, USA)

  • Shenglan Tang

    (Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA)

Abstract

Aim: Many governments in East and Southeast Asia responded promptly and effectively at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Synthesizing and analyzing these responses is vital for disease control evidence-based policymaking. Methods: An extensive review of COVID-19 control measures was conducted in selected Asian countries and subregions, including Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, Japan, and Vietnam from 1 January to 30 May 2020. Control measures were categorized into administrative, public health, and health system measures. To evaluate the stringency and timeliness of responses, we developed two indices: the Initial Response Index (IRI) and the Modified Stringency Index (MSI), which builds on the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker (OxCGRT). Results: Comprehensive administrative, public health, and health system control measures were implemented at the onset of the outbreak. Despite variations in package components, the stringency of control measures across the study sites increased with the acceleration of the outbreak, with public health control measures implemented the most stringently. Variations in daily average MSI scores are observed, with Mainland China scoring the highest (74.2), followed by Singapore (67.4), Vietnam (66.8), Hong Kong (66.2), South Korea (62.3), Taiwan (52.1), and Japan (50.3). Variations in IRI scores depicting timeliness were higher: Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Singapore acted faster (IRI > 50.0), while Japan (42.4) and Mainland China (4.2) followed. Conclusions: Timely setting of stringency of the control measures, especially public health measures, at dynamically high levels is key to optimally controlling outbreaks.

Suggested Citation

  • Shu Chen & Lei Guo & Taghred Alghaith & Di Dong & Mohammed Alluhidan & Mariam M. Hamza & Christopher H. Herbst & Xinqi Zhang & Gabrielle Charis Alano Tagtag & Yi Zhang & Nahar Alazemi & Rana Saber & R, 2021. "Effective COVID-19 Control: A Comparative Analysis of the Stringency and Timeliness of Government Responses in Asia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-19, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:16:p:8686-:d:615969
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bui Thi Thu Ha & La Ngoc Quang & Tolib Mirzoev & Nguyen Trong Tai & Pham Quang Thai & Phung Cong Dinh, 2020. "Combating the COVID-19 Epidemic: Experiences from Vietnam," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-7, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jiaji Pan & Ruilin Fan & Hanlu Zhang & Yi Gao & Zhiquan Shu & Zhongxiang Chen, 2022. "Investigating the Effectiveness of Government Public Health Systems against COVID-19 by Hybrid MCDM Approaches," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 10(15), pages 1-20, July.

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