From: Countries with delayed COVID-19 introduction – characteristics, drivers, gaps, and opportunities
Variable | Definition | Source |
---|---|---|
Country characteristics | ||
Level of development | Level of development as measured by per capita gross national income: high-income, upper-middle-income, lower-middle-income and low-income | UN World Economic Situation and Prospects (2019) |
Vulnerability classifications | Vulnerable country designations by the United Nations: Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing States | UN Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and the Small Island Developing States |
Inbound visitor arrival (per capita population) | Calculated ratio of inbound visitor arrivals at national borders (non-resident visitors, including overnight and same-day visitors, tourists and excursionists) to country population | UN World Tourism Organization (2017–2018); WHO |
Global connectedness index (GCI) | An index measures globalization based on trade, capital, information, and people flows; ranking is available on 169 countries and areas: higher rank indicates less global connectedness | Altman et al., DHL Global Connectedness Index 2018 - The State of Globalization in a Fragile World (2019) |
Health security and healthcare indicators | ||
Global health security index | An index on comprehensive assessment of global health security capabilities in 195 countries that make up the States Parties to the International Health Regulations; ranking on Overall and on Detection are presented (out of 195): higher rank indicates lower health security capabilities | Global Health Security Index (2019) |
# Doctor (per 10 k) | Number of doctors per 10,000 population | WHO Global Health Observatory |
# Nurse & midwives (per 10 k) | Number of nurses and midwives per 10,000 population | |
COVID-19 testing and influenza surveillance | ||
In-country COVID-19 testing (if yes, capacity) | If reporting available test kits or COVID-19-capable laboratories, then “Yes”. If a country has test kits but explicitly states no lab, then “No”. If yes, brief description of testing capacity | Official websites and social media channels of country Ministries of Health and other governments, and U.S. Embassies |
Export COVID-19 testing | If no in-country testing capability, report that samples had been sent to another country for testing or a plan to export samples for testing | |
Influenza surveillance (if yes, type) | Reporting influenza surveillance information to WHO Global Influenza Programme from May 2019 and April 2020. If yes, reported laboratory (Lab) and/or epidemiology (ILI: influenza-like illness, SARI: severe acute respiratory infections) surveillances | WHO Global Influenza Programme (2019–2020) |
Border control measures | Yes/No/Unknown | |
Travel restrictions | Any international flight suspensions, restricted air/land/sea border crossing activities, or suggestions to postpone travel outside of the country | Official websites and social media channels of country Ministries of Health and other governments, and U.S. Embassies |
Border closures | Suspension of air/land/sea-based points of entry. Island nations suspending cruise ship docking | |
Screening at points of entry | Symptom checks screening (e.g. temperature checks), travel history taken, and/or requirement of certification of COVID-19 free | |
Traveler quarantine | 14-day isolation of travelers entering the country, mandatory or advised, self-isolation or government quarantine at a facility, or initial self-quarantine in country of origin or other disease-free area | |
COVID-19 preparedness activities | Yes/No/Unknown | |
COVID-19 preparedness plan or strategy | Mention of a COVID-19 task force, a plan or a strategy for preparing the country for the arrival of COVID-19, either by the country government or through collaboration with WHO, UN, or another country | Official websites and social media channels of country Ministries of Health and other governments, and U.S. Embassies |
Mass gathering restrictions | Instructions and/or announcements to limit gatherings to a specified number of people or less; mandatory or advised/encouraged | |
School closures | Extension of school holidays or complete school cancellation | |
Business closures | Complete closure of some businesses or all non-essential businesses | |
Funding for COVID-19 activities | Financial resources released by the government or received from an external partner designated for COVID-19 preparedness | |
Healthcare worker training | COVID-19 trainings or refreshers for healthcare workers | |
Availability of PPE | Acquisition of a supply of masks, gloves, gowns, respirators, or face shields that’ll be available to health workers. | |
Quarantine/isolation facilities | Designated locations for travelers or other exposed persons to quarantine or self-isolate for 14 days |