The Advantages of the Zero-COVID-19 Strategy

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Global Health Policy

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated diverse global response strategies, including mitigation and elimination policies.
• The zero-COVID-19 strategy, an elimination approach, requires systematic investigation of its benefits.
• Understanding the advantages of zero-COVID-19 is crucial for effective pandemic management frameworks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and examine the advantages of the zero-COVID-19 strategy.
• To analyze the short-, medium-, and long-term benefits of zero-COVID-19.
• To assess the impact of the zero-COVID-19 strategy on both local and global communities.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature review was conducted.
• Databases searched included PubMed, PsycINFO, and Scopus.
• Thematic analysis, following Braun and Clarke's approach, was used for data interpretation.

Main Results:

• Short-term benefits include limited virus infections, hospitalizations, and deaths.
• Medium-term advantages encompass the reduced prevalence of other infectious diseases.
• Long-term benefits involve a low incidence of long COVID-19 and stable global supply chains.

Conclusions:

• The zero-COVID-19 strategy presents a controllable approach to managing the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Its advantages extend to local populations and the global community, aiding pandemic control.
• Future research should explore potential shortcomings and unintended consequences for comprehensive strategy evaluation.