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Effectiveness of Epidemic Preventive Policies and Hospital Strategies in Combating COVID-19 Outbreak in Taiwan

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  • Ting Wan Tan

    (Department of Nursing, Hsinchu MacKay Memorial Hospital, Hsinchu 30071, Taiwan
    Department of Nursing, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, Hsinchu 30015, Taiwan)

  • Han Ling Tan

    (National Orthopaedic Centre of Excellence in Research and Learning (NOCERAL), Department of Orthopaedic, Faculty of Medicine, University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia)

  • Man Na Chang

    (Department of Nursing, Hsinchu MacKay Memorial Hospital, Hsinchu 30071, Taiwan)

  • Wen Shu Lin

    (Department of Nursing, Hsinchu MacKay Memorial Hospital, Hsinchu 30071, Taiwan
    Department of Healthcare Management, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, Hsinchu 30015, Taiwan)

  • Chih Ming Chang

    (Department of Nursing, Hsinchu MacKay Memorial Hospital, Hsinchu 30071, Taiwan
    Department of Healthcare Management, Yuanpei University of Medical Technology, Hsinchu 30015, Taiwan)

Abstract

(1) Background: The implementation of effective control measures in a timely fashion is crucial to control the epidemic outbreak of COVID-19. In this study, we aimed to analyze the control measures implemented during the COVID-19 outbreak, as well as evaluating the responses and outcomes at different phases for epidemic control in Taiwan. (2) Methods: This case study reviewed responses to COVID-19 and the effectiveness of a range of control measures implemented for epidemic control in Taiwan and assessed all laboratory-confirmed cases between 11 January until 20 December 2020, inclusive of these dates. The confirmation of COVID-19 infection was defined as the positive result of a reverse-transcriptase–polymerase-chain-reaction test taken from a nasopharyngeal swab. Test results were reported by the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control. The incidence rate, mortality rate, and testing rate were compiled, and the risk ratio was provided to gain insights into the effectiveness of prevention measures. (3) Results and Discussion: This study presents retrospective data on the COVID-19 incidence rate in Taiwan, combined with the vital preventive control measures, in a timeline of the early stage of the epidemic that occurred in Taiwan. The implementation of multiple strategy control measures and the assistance of technologies to control the COVID-19 epidemic in Taiwan led to a relatively slower trend in the outbreak compared to the neighboring countries. In Taiwan, 766 confirmed patients were included, comprised of 88.1% imported cases and 7.2% local transmission cases, within the studied period. The incidence rate of COVID-19 in Taiwan during the studied period was 32 per million people, with a mortality rate of 0.3 per million people. Our analysis showed a significantly raised incidence risk ratio in the countries of interest in comparison to Taiwan during the study period; in the range of 1.9 to 947.5. The outbreak was brought under control through epidemic policies and hospital strategies implemented by the Taiwan Government. (4) Conclusion: Taiwan’s preventive strategies resulted in a drastically lower risk for Taiwan nationals of contracting COVID-19 when new pharmaceutical drug or vaccines were not yet available. The preventive strategies employed by Taiwan could serve as a guide and reference for future epidemic control strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Ting Wan Tan & Han Ling Tan & Man Na Chang & Wen Shu Lin & Chih Ming Chang, 2021. "Effectiveness of Epidemic Preventive Policies and Hospital Strategies in Combating COVID-19 Outbreak in Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-19, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:7:p:3456-:d:524798
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ai Tashiro & Rajib Shaw, 2020. "COVID-19 Pandemic Response in Japan: What Is behind the Initial Flattening of the Curve?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(13), pages 1-15, June.
    2. Don Klinkenberg & Christophe Fraser & Hans Heesterbeek, 2006. "The Effectiveness of Contact Tracing in Emerging Epidemics," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 1(1), pages 1-7, December.
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    2. Seng-Su Tsang & Zhih-Lin Liu & Thi Vinh Tran Nguyen, 2023. "Family–work conflict and work-from-home productivity: do work engagement and self-efficacy mediate?," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-13, December.

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