The Success of Republic of Turkey in Preventing COVID-19 Pandemic Within The First 45 Days

Abstract

The new coronavirus emerged in Wuhan, China in December 2019. The first case in Turkey was recorded on March 11, 2020. As of April 25, 2020, approximately 3 million people were infected, and more than 200,000 people around the world were killed. The number of cases in Turkey has started to reach a plateau earlier than other countries such as the United States of America, China, Italy, France, the United Kingdom and Germany. According to the statement presented by Ministry of Health in the Republic of Turkey, the daily number of recovered patients has surpassed the number of newly diagnosed patients 45 days after the beginning of the epidemic. This study aims to review the actions and measures taken by the Republic of Turkey between March 11, 2020, the date of the first COVID-19 case emerged and April 25, 2020, 45 days after the beginning of the outbreak. Besides, the current study evaluates the health policies and the consequences based on the literature on health care policy.