New Zealand has only 1 Covid-19 death. Here's what they're doing

The United States and Italy have been playing catch up in the mitigation of the coronavirus pandemic and were resistant to implementing social distancing, while other countries took more aggressive approaches. Now both countries are looking to China and South Korea to learn how sweeping actions and industrialized scaling of measures such as fever clinics, temperature check points, portable CAT scanning, and social isolation, have helped to contain the pandemic.

New York state's quick actions to create a containment zone around New Rochelle after an early outbreak of coronavirus cases are proving successful. “Everybody talks about flattening the curve, and I think that’s exactly what we were able to do,” one local health official noted.

Because of drastic and proactive steps, Taiwan has been able to keep their number of positive COVID19 cases low. Preemptive actions like stopping flights from China and an early stimulus bill has helped the country get ahead of the public health and economic impacts.

After the 2003 SARS epidemic, Taiwan formed the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC), which has proved necessary in the face of COVID19. The CECC has helped coordinated screenings for incoming travelers, rationing face masks, creating a hotline, and enforcing mandatory self-quarantines. They’ve also integrated health insurance, immigration, and customs databases to identify those most at risk.

The Norwegian government has banned residents from retreating to their rural, vacation homes as they self-isolate during the COVID19 pandemic. Those that do will face a nearly $2,000 fine, or 15 days in jail. This ban is in place because rural health infrastructure cannot handle the influx of residents if they were to arrive and start testing positive for the novel coronavirus.

Singapore, Taiwan, and Hong Kong have each shown success with slowing the pace of the coronavirus outbreak due in part from learning lessons during the 2002 SARS outbreak. Combining different approaches to social distancing and quarantine, travel restrictions, and public health campaigns focused on hygiene best practices, the countries have shown that it doesn't necessarily take "China’s draconian measures" to mitigate the spread.

As countries scramble to figure out how to stop the coronavirus outbreak, China is an example of how unprecedented measures to self-quarantine and self-distancing measures can work to slow transmission rates. Commonly refered to as "flattening the curve," this practice allows for the health-care system to avoid being overwhelmed with cases, which in turn means more people can be treated.

Although many hesitate to applaud Singapore's efforts in containing the coronavirus pandemic due to the aggressive measures taken, the country's methodology has shown success. Based on "scientific knowledge, empirical data and medical research," the country has implemented measures such as contact tracing, stay-home orders, hygiene campaigns, and monetary bonuses for health care workers, all of which work to slow the spread of the virus.

China has seen success in containing the coronavirus through strict governmental oversight but when the virus made its way to Vietnam – a country with similar rule – the government enacted more transparent approaches and relied on social networks to mitigate the spread. Although it is yet to be seen if one methodology was superior to the other, Vietnam's strategy of accountability and transparency has "proved to be effective and furnished positive results."

South Korea's response to the coronavirus has been held up as exemplary. How is Vietnam achieving similar results with fewer resources and a smaller budget?