A year ago, when COVID was just taking off in many places, I never expected that China would actually end up as one of the least affected countries. 
China's official COVID death toll stands at 4,636.
That's probably an undercount for several reasons, but even if the truth were twice as high it would still be a very low rate of death compared to most Western countries.
That's probably an undercount for several reasons, but even if the truth were twice as high it would still be a very low rate of death compared to most Western countries.
What China appears to have achieved early in the pandemic was the complete elimination of local transmission.
Few countries seriously tried to do this, and even fewer succeeded.
Few countries seriously tried to do this, and even fewer succeeded.
China eliminated local transmission primarily via severe lockdowns and widespread testing.
In some places, lockdowns meant most people could not leave their homes for any reason at all. Even groceries were delivery only.
Entire cities had mandatory COVID testing.
In some places, lockdowns meant most people could not leave their homes for any reason at all. Even groceries were delivery only.
Entire cities had mandatory COVID testing.
China's strategy was extreme in its approach and the impact on people's lives, but it also seems to have been effective and has provided substantial dividends in terms of a return to normal life and economic activity.
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