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A Look Behind the Scenes at COVID-19: National Strategies of Infection Control and Their Impact on Mortality

Author

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  • Samir Haj Bloukh

    (College of Pharmacy and Health Science, Department of Clinical Sciences, Ajman University, PO Box 346 Ajman, UAE)

  • Zehra Edis

    (College of Pharmacy and Health Science, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ajman University, PO Box 346 Ajman, UAE)

  • Annis A. Shaikh

    (Advanced Physics Laboratory, Department of Physics, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune 411007, India)

  • Habib M. Pathan

    (Advanced Physics Laboratory, Department of Physics, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune 411007, India)

Abstract

(1) Background: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) began spreading across the globe in December and, as of 9 July 2020, had inflicted more than 550,000 deaths. Public health measures implemented to control the outbreak caused socio-economic havoc in many countries. The pandemic highlighted the quality of health care systems, responses of policymakers in harmony with the population, and socio-economic resilience factors. We suggest that different national strategies had an impact on mortality and case count. (2) Methods: We collected fatality data for 17 countries until 2 June 2020 from public data and associated these with implemented containment measures. (3) Results: The outcomes present the effectiveness of control mechanisms in mitigating the virus for selected countries and the UAE as a special case. Pre-existing conditions defined the needed public health strategies and fatality numbers. Other pre-existing conditions, such as temperature, humidity, median age, and low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations played minor roles and may have had no direct impact on fatality rates. (4) Conclusions: Prevention, fast containment, adequate public health strategies, and importance of indoor environments were determining factors in mitigating the pandemic. Development of public health strategies adapted to pre-existing conditions for each country and community compliance with implemented policies ensure the successful control of pandemics.

Suggested Citation

  • Samir Haj Bloukh & Zehra Edis & Annis A. Shaikh & Habib M. Pathan, 2020. "A Look Behind the Scenes at COVID-19: National Strategies of Infection Control and Their Impact on Mortality," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-19, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:15:p:5616-:d:394448
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    References listed on IDEAS

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