Opinion | As coronavirus deaths cross 1 million, the key lesson is that it’s never too late to fight back

Several countries had the right preparedness infrastructure in place and took swift, effective action to contain outbreaks

Because this international public health emergency needs a global solution, support for the Access to Covid-19 Tools Accelerator is crucial

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A nurse wearing protective mask and gear comforts another as they change shifts on March 13 at the Cremona hospital, southeast of Milan, during the country’s lockdown aimed at stopping the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. Photo: AFP

Published: 4:15am, 30 Sep 2020Updated: 4:58am, 30 Sep 2020

More than 1 million people have been lost to Covid-19, and many more are suffering because of the pandemic. This milestone is a difficult moment for the world, but there are glimmers of hope that encourage us now and in the near future.

Just nine months on from the virus first being identified, some of the best scientists in the world have collectively developed tests to diagnose cases, identified treatments such as corticosteroids to reduce mortality in the most severe cases of Covid-19 and produced vaccine candidates that are now in final phase 3 trials.

While we await further breakthroughs, we have seen the virus can be effectively contained through the application of tried and tested public health measures. Many countries have driven an all-of-government, all-of-society response. With the right preparedness infrastructure in place, they were able to act early and contain outbreaks before transmission got out of hand.

Thailand has a well-resourced medical and public health system. Informed by the best available scientific advice and a trained and committed community health workforce, Thai authorities acted decisively to suppress the virus, build trust and increase public confidence.

Italy was one of the first countries to experience a large outbreak outside China and in many ways was a pioneer for other countries. Learning from the Wuhan experience, Italy put strong measures in place and was able to reduce transmission and save thousands of lives. National unity and solidarity, combined with the dedication and sacrifice of health workers and the engagement of the Italian people, helped bring the outbreak under control.

Although the Americas is so far the most-affected region, Uruguay has reported the lowest number of cases and deaths in Latin America, both in total and on a per capita basis. This is not an accident. Uruguay has one of the most robust and resilient health systems in Latin America, with sustainable investment based on political consensus on the importance of investing in public health.

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