Overview of the mitigation strategies for COVID-19 pandemic

During Covid-19 pandemic, many countries suffered failure of their healthcare system to face challenges of the pandemic although they were recognized as one of the top listed healthcare systems in the world. Why did these recognized healthcare systems fail to face the pandemic and why other systems could do it? This should be studied and known well to be used for future planning of healthcare strategies in case this pandemic to reactivated or any other pandemic to reveal at any time. Mitigation strategies are very important to limit the spread of the pandemic. So, the aim of this study is to review and analyse the mitigation strategies that have been practiced during previous pandemics. This research reviewed the strategy of social distancing, global containment measures, herd immunity and mass testing. It was concluded that, although social distancing is very important in decreasing the spread of epidemic, having specific vaccination is paramount. Meanwhile, it should be remembered that in the absence of proper vaccination, 'herd immunity' is the most effective policy to counteract the spread of the disease in the community. On the other hand, herd immunity is a challenging strategy that must be strictly controlled otherwise would be disastrous. In all cases transparency and trust should be built with the public to preserve calmness and compliance to the mitigation measures.