What can countries learn from Hong Kong’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic?

• Published in: Canadian Medical Association journal (CMAJ) Vol. 192; no. 19; pp. E511 - E515
• Main Authors: Wong, Samuel Y.S., Kwok, Kin On, Chan, Francis K.L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Canada Elsevier Inc 11.05.2020; Joule Inc; CMA Impact, Inc
• Subjects: Analysis; Boundaries; Coronavirus Infections - epidemiology; Coronavirus Infections - prevention & control; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Epidemics; Health surveillance; Hong Kong - epidemiology; Humans; Infection Control - methods; Infection Control - organization & administration; Infections; Internal Medicine; Masks; Pandemics; Pandemics - prevention & control; Pneumonia, Viral - epidemiology; Pneumonia, Viral - prevention & control; Population; Primary care; Quarantine; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Social distancing; Travelers; Websites; Hong Kong; China; Hong Kong China; Italy; United Kingdom > UK; United States > US; Taiwan
• ISSN: 0820-3946; 1488-2329; 1488-2329
• DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.200563

The first case of COVID-19 in Hong Kong was reported on Jan 22, 2020. From January to Mar 2020, 96,709 tests were performed, and by Apr 14, 2020, 1010 people had tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and 4 had died from COVID-19. Given its unique circumstances, Hong Kong has done relatively well in controlling the spread of COVID-19. Here, Wong et al analyze the potential reasons for Hong Kong's early success in preparing for and reacting to the SARS-CoV-2 threat.