While it may be too early to claim if any country has successfully controlled the pandemic, some have been battling the coronavirus pandemic better than others. Countries which immediately responded to the impending crisis with strong measures are showing some signs of recovery. Some nations immediately sealed borders, imposed both internal and external travel restrictions, and strictly ordered citizens to stay indoors, practice self-isolation to prevent the coronavirus spread. Some have also come up with offbeat measures to control the spread.Here are all the countries that have outsmarted the virus at least for now and have even started relaxing the lockdown.
Taiwan
Taiwan is showing great recovery numbers and is ahead of the curve. Taiwan has a total number of 429 confirmed cases out of which 307 have recovered already with a total number of six deaths reported till now. As on April 27, Taiwan reported zero confirmed cases for the fifth time in a month, suggests CECC (Central Epidemic Command Center). Likewise, on April 14, 16, 17 and 26, Taiwan had no fresh cases of COVID-19. The country has now started easing of restrictions on movements and commerce.
What Taiwan did
Taiwan's response strategy has been the best globally. Even though it has trade and transport links with China, it was able to contain transmission. That's because of a prompt reaction and lessons the island nation had learnt from the SARS outbreak in 2003. While other countries were still mulling over whether to restrict entries, Taiwan already had a plan in place. It banned travel from many parts of China, stopped cruise ships from docking at its ports, and strict punishments for those who breached quarantine orders. It also ramped up face mask production. It rolled out islandwide testing.
Sweden
Sweden has reportedly 18,926 confirmed cases with 1,005 having recovered. The country has recorded about 2,274 deaths so far. But the numbers have not risen as much as was expected.
What Sweden did
Sweden began by adopting a different strategy. Many even criticised Sweden for implementing a 'low-scale' lockdown strategy. When the entire world, in a bid to fight the pandemic, was staying indoors, maintaining social distancing, shutting down schools and businesses, Sweden preferred its own route. It wanted to avoid the spike which resulted from a re-opening of lockdown. It urged people to distance themselves socially but did not implement it harshly. Nobody was officially told to stay indoors. In a way, Sweden seemed to be promoting herd immunity. Whether it has paid off remains to be seen.
New Zealand
According to the latest numbers, News Zealand has a total number of 1,472 confirmed cases with 1,214 having recovered already. The country has reported a total number of nineteen deaths. The country on Monday announced that it would ease off lockdown restrictions from "level four" to "level three" with the new cases emerging in single figures. Manufacturing activities and forestry will resume. Also, citizens will be able to take part in low-risk recreational activities-like swimming. Schools will also reopen.
What New Zealand Did
Some of this has been made possible because of the prompt measures the country PM Jacinda Ardern took early on. On March 14, when the country had just 6 cases, Ardern announced that anybody entering the country had to self-isolate for 2 weeks. From March 20, foreign nationals were barred from entering the country. These were some of the strictest border restrictions in the world. From March 25, lockdown level 4 was introduced which was implemented well. New Zealand also has some of the highest testing rates per capita in the world.
Finland
Finland has 4,695 confirmed cases till now with 2,500 being recovered already. The country has witnessed 193 deaths so far.
What Finland didIn the first week of April it started randomised testing. They also have sufficient medical supplies and gear, a stockpile they have since World War II. Denmark
Denmark has 8,851 confirmed cases. The number of recovered cases are 6,121.
What Denmark did
Denmark, a nation of 5.6 million, was the second country in Europe to announce nationwide lockdown on March 11. It announced the lockdown even before the country reported any death.The country slowly opened daycare nurseries, kindergartens and primary schools on April 15.In a statement, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said, "it is appropriate and justified to start a slow opening. But on the condition that everyone keeps their distance and washes their hands."Bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping centers will remain closed. Gathering of more than 10 people would be prohibited. Cuba
Cuba has a total of 1,389 confirmed cases with 525 cases recovered already. The country has witnessed so far a total number of 56 deaths.
What Cuba did
The government of Cuba immediately imposed strict draconian rules to contain the virus spread. As the health ministry in Havana announced the news of 36 new cases across the country, Cuba banned all the (in and out) flights. All the foreigners were ordered to leave Cuba as soon as the cases started to surge.
Australia
Australia has a total number of 6,725 confirmed cases, out of which more than 5,600 cases recovered. The country has reported a total of 84 deaths up till now. On Tuesday, the country announced that it would relax some restrictions on movements amid the hopes that widespread medical testing would help in maintaining a decline in new coronavirus cases. The Australian state government has encouraged its people to undergo tests irrespective of them showing or not showing any symptoms.
What Australia Did
Australia, in its effort to control the pandemic spread, imposed early shutdowns of business and issued strict rules on maintaining social distancing and lockdown. Early shutdowns of borders, limiting public gatherings, large scale testings and contact tracing are the methods that Australia used to slow the spread.
Antarctica
The entire world is grappling with the novel coronavirus. The total number of worldwide confirmed cases is equal to 3.04 million. A total number of 211,000 people have succumbed to the novel coronavirus worldwide. But Antarctica is the only continent which is virus-free.
What Antarctica did
However, Antarctica too has been placed under lockdown. Antarctic tourism, which was growing rapidly, has also come to a halt. The population of scientists and military personnel in the White continent is at its peak in the summer months.