Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong lead the pack on COVID-19

Western Australia the “island within an island” as Premier Mark McGowan described it is as good a place as any to self-isolate until an effective treatment for the current pandemic COVID-19 is released. The State is also managing extremely well in comparison to most of the world as the latest data shows WA has so far recorded 19 positive tests per 1000 tests conducted (1.9%).

The graphs below compares multiple countries around the world with the data focusing on two key measures:

1. the number of positive tests per 1000 tests conducted and
2. the ratio of deaths from those who have tested positive.

As shown in the graphs above Australia is currently sitting at the lower end of the scale tracking closely with its neighbouring countries, Hong Kong and Singapore. Hong Kong has seen only eight positive tests per 1000 a remarkable amount given its close proximity to China, plus Singapore who has 14 positive tests per 1000 and has recently been praised for its swift responses to the pandemic.

“If we abide by the new rules and practise good social distancing, we can take a different direction to the rest of the country and, indeed, to the rest of the world.” Mr McGowan commented yesterday.

“We know that the measures that we have in place are making a difference. But we all know how easy the virus can take hold. As I’ve said before, we are sailing into this storm, not out of it.” Health Minister Roger Cook added with the number of cases worldwide expected to exceed one million over night.

This is a summary of the article ‘Australia’s doing a number on this wretched virus and leading the pack’ by John Flint | Published in The West Australian |Friday 3^rd April, 2020.