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There is still a lack of clarity regarding the effectiveness of various control measures in containing the COVID-19 pandemic. The experience from different countries or contexts are diverse.

Turkey is one of the few countries in the world which effectively handled the COVID-19 pandemic, which is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and this is largely due to a scientific approach with rigorous testing. What is observed regarding the number of active cases in Turkey is a peak sometime around the middle of April and then a gradual reduction. The success in Turkey can also be attributed to strict enforcement of standard protocols. Like many other countries, strict quarantine was also enforced. Turks coming from abroad were quarantined at guest houses for 14 days (for those with no clinical signs), and at designated hospitals in each province (for those with clinical symptoms) until June 1. Standard protocols such as restrictions on meetings, gatherings and travel were followed. The country also adopted a fast track mechanism to procure medical supplies, test kits, personal protective equipment (PPE), thermal scanners, and other requred diagnostic and treatment commodities such as drugs and oxygen, and they were distributed to all possible sites where such supplies were needed.

There is no doubt that the pandemic has already led to devastating social, economic and political effects that will leave deep and longstanding scars. In the longer term, we should look at ways to better prevent and manage such crises and ensure that the world makes full use of what we will learn from this pandemic. This is the reason why there is a need to examine country case studies to understand patterns especially similarities and differences. But an ongoing epidemiological assessment based on data is extremely important to strengthen the fight against the pandemic. This is extremely useful for developing an integrated global response as an investment for our future.