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The whole world is trying to stem the coronavirus pandemic, but one particular country stands out - Germany. It has a very large number of infections - only the US, Spain, and Italy have more - but the ratio of deaths to confirmed cases is low. Only about three per cent, compared to 13 per cent in Italy.
So how has it achieved that? There are a number of factors. First, Germany has tested far more people than other countries. That has allowed authorities to slow transmission of the disease by isolating known cases while they're infectious. It also means patients receive lifesaving treatment in a more timely manner.
So for example, they can be put on ventilators before their condition deteriorates. Secondly, Germany has a lot more intensive care beds than other countries. At the start of the crisis, it had 28,000 and has increased that to 40,000, 10,000 of which are currently unoccupied.
It also has not seen the kind of shortage of critical equipment like ventilators that has been seen elsewhere. At the start of the pandemic, it ordered 10,000 of them. Thirdly, Germany has good leaders and a smoothly functioning government.
Angela Merkel, the chancellor, has communicated clearly and calmly throughout the crisis and has been rewarded with soaring approval ratings. She has imposed ever stricter social distancing measures on the population, but done so in a measured way, co-ordinating closely with the leaders of Germany's 16 regions. But she herself stresses that there is no room for complacency.
Though they've succeeded somewhat in slowing the spread of coronavirus, the German authorities say it's far too early to give the all clear. That can only happen once a vaccine has been found. Ms Merkel has herself admitted that until then, Germany, like everybody else, will be walking on thin ice.
