Successful Managing of the Covid-19 Pandemic: Lessons Learned from Taiwan

Abstract Covid-19 pandemic badly affects most countries in the world both sociologically and economically. Taiwan, however, manages to handle its pandemic remarkably well before and after its Covid-19 cases spike. This paper aims to describe Taiwan’s strategy on keeping the cases low and to identify significant factors related to this spike. These factors are found through the use of a stepwise regression model. The model inputs are daily data sets that belong to the three grouped indicators: Containment and closures, Economic responses and Health systems. In addition, the number of Covid-19 tests and changes in the number of people attending indoor and outdoor activities are also given as model inputs. The model output is the daily covid-19 confirmed cases. It is found that restriction in internal move, government campaign, debt or contract relieved, indoor activities changes, work closures and their interactions are amongst the most significant factors leading to the sharp jump in Covid-19 cases. The model is able to explain almost 88% of the cases. It is important that these factors are taken into consideration by any government in its preparation for an upcoming pandemic.