South Korea’s fight against coronavirus is good news for Victoria

As Victoria enters a lockdown like no other, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by what’s to come, but there’s a glimmer of hope from across the ocean in how South Korea fought off its second wave.

As Victoria enters a lockdown like no other, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by what’s to come.

But there’s a glimmer of hope from across the ocean — countries like us who found themselves in the same position, but came out the other side.

And experts agree there’s no reason why we can’t too.

Professor Sanjaya Senanayake, an infectious diseases expert at the Australian National University (ANU), said countries like South Korea and Vietnam had set the standard for containing COVID-19.

South Korean soldiers wearing protective gear move to spray disinfectant as part of preventive measures against the spread of the COVID-19. Picture: YONHAP/AFP

Both countries were swift and targeted in their response.

South Korea used specialised teams to quickly control outbreaks and embraced technology for contact tracing, especially when a second wave hit in mid-June.

Vietnam — a country of more than 95 million — shut down borders and popular holiday towns.

They’re achievable methods and they seem to have worked.

“Every outbreak will be tailored to your region, your resources and the attitudes of your people and that will change how you respond,” Prof Senanayake said.

“South Korea really didn’t do a hard lock down of certain cities, they targeted certain outbreaks quickly.

“They were open to using cameras and phone records to try and identify people and outbreaks and had really quick, effective contact tracing.

“They also had the trust of the population.

Crowds have been able to return to sporting events like soccer and baseball. Picture: Getty Images

“And while they haven’t eliminated the virus, they have control. They have about 20 to 30 cases a day now.

“In Vietnam, they’ve locked a local tourist city down and they’re sending people back to their own homes where they have to quarantine themselves.”

Their numbers, much like Australia, that show it is possible to bounce back yet again.

According to data from John Hopkins University, there were on Monday at least 17, 936 cases of COVID-19 in Australia and 14, 366 in South Korea.

Similarly, Australia has recorded 221 deaths while South Korea has had 301 fatalities, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).

Ambulances carrying patients infected with the COVID-19 arrive at hospital during the first wave of the virus in South Korea. Picture: YONHAP/AFP

Vietnam remains low with just over 600 cases and six deaths.

But the biggest thing that will help, Prof Senanayake said, is the willingness of people — Victorians — to do the right thing.

He said if Victorians abide by the rules and stay home, there was “no reason” why we couldn’t stamp out the virus.

“What’s really important is that for any lockdown to succeed you need it to be a real lockdown,” he said.

“It will involve adhering to (the rules) – particularly the people with COVID-19.

“But I don’t see why there’s a reason we can’t do it.

“I think we have to be positive.”

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