Factors influencing the COVID-19 pandemic situation in Indonesia, Malaysia and Taiwan in 2021

OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 pandemic started over 2 years ago and spread rapidly throughout the world. The total number of cases and deaths is still increasing and the situation remains active across the globe. In the Asian region, COVID-19 vaccination began in early 2021; however, the COVID-19 situation remains uncertain. This study aims to compare the factors that influenced the COVID-19 pandemic situation in three countries in Asia (namely, Indonesia, Malaysia and Taiwan) throughout 2021. STUDY DESIGN: This ecological study utilises the data from the ‘Our World in Data’ website. METHODS: In this study, the COVID-19 pandemic situation in each country is described by looking at the average daily number of deaths and cases per million population throughout 2021. A paired t-test was conducted to compare the significance of differences in the pandemic situation between 2020 and 2021. In addition, the COVID-19 vaccination profiles throughout 2021 were investigated. A multiple linear regression analysis was then performed to develop models to explain the factors influencing the COVID-19 pandemic situation in these three countries. RESULTS: The COVID-19 pandemic situation in Indonesia, Malaysia and Taiwan in 2021 is significantly different from 2020. Malaysia had the highest COVID-19 vaccination coverage (79.4%), followed by Taiwan (78.5%) and Indonesia (58.3%). This study found that the following three factors consistently influenced the number of deaths and cases in these three countries [1]: positivity rate [2]; number of tests per 1000 population; and [3] number of tests per case. CONCLUSIONS: Although the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic situations in Indonesia, Malaysia and Taiwan was different, it is significantly influenced by the quality and quantity of COVID-19 testing and screening, in addition to the vaccination programmes and restriction policies implemented in each country. As a result of the ability of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to mutate, it is recommended that each country strengthen their comprehensive approach to have an effective and efficient coping strategy for the COVID-19 pandemic.