Can this country that insists on "clearing" COVID-19 persist?

On July 20, 2021, nine airport cleaners were found to be infected with the new crown virus in Nanjing, China; soon, the epidemic has spread to Hunan, Hubei, Beijing, Liaoning, Anhui, Guangdong, Sichuan and other provinces

On August 22, 2021, the National Health Commission’s epidemic report showed that from 0-24 on August 21, there were 4 new local cases in the Mainland, including 3 cases in Shanghai and 1 case in Jiangsu; no new local asymptomatic infections

New cases in Mainland China, including imported cases

This epidemic once triggered a fierce debate about "coexistence of parallel viruses" and "clearing"

As the number of new cases in the country continues to decrease, the panic that once made people gradually eases, the results of the epidemic will further understand whether to insist on "clearing"; and the gradual increase in the vaccination rate in the Mainland, and more serological data come out , This discussion will certainly be more scientific and more rational

In fact, China is not alone on the road of insisting on “clearing”

In the southern hemisphere not far from China, New Zealand has also insisted on clearing zero; after the emergence of local transmission, the nationwide blockade began last Tuesday (August 17)

Epidemic changes in Israel, Australia, New Zealand, and China

New Zealand currently implements the country's most stringent four-level lockdown.

At the same time, New Zealand is also tracking possible contacts of the case

Regarding the goal of controlling the epidemic, New Zealand Prime Minister Ardern firmly stated:

"We have been here before.

We have experienced this situation before

"It's tried and true.

This is a proven strategy

However, there is no major discussion about "clearing" and "coexisting with the virus" in New Zealand

According to a report provided by an expert consultant from the New Zealand government, New Zealand has relatively few intensive care beds.

At the same time, New Zealand is one of the countries with the slowest vaccination rate, currently only having a 20% full vaccination rate

Vaccination ratios in four countries: Israel, China, Australia, and New Zealand

Will New Zealand be closed forever?

The answer is definitely no

In fact, New Zealand formulated the country’s epidemic control plan on August 12
.
The core is to accelerate the speed of vaccination, and plans to begin in early 2022, reopening the border in phases
.

Vaccination and non-drug intervention are equally important

Although countries have different measures to prevent COVID-19, Israel, the United Kingdom, and the United States have reignited the epidemic after the epidemic was once well controlled, suggesting the limitations of over-reliance on vaccines in the face of Delta mutant strains
.

Epidemic prevention is a public health management, and it is necessary to continue to insist on wearing masks and reduce gatherings and other non-drug interventions on the basis of extensive vaccination
.
At the national level, strict control of epidemic areas may be a key public health measure in line with the overall situation
.

New Zealand’s blockade is still ongoing and is currently extended to August 24
.
We will also pay close attention to the changes in the epidemic situation in New Zealand, and look forward to providing a good reference and experience for countries adopting similar measures
.