Interpreting COVID-19 and Virtual Care Trends: Cohort Study

Interpreting COVID-19 and Virtual Care Trends: Cohort Study

Blog Article

BackgroundThe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is rapidly spreading across the world.As of March 26, 2020, there are more than 500,000 cases and more than 25,000 deaths related to COVID-19, and the numbers are increasing by the hour.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to explore the trends in confirmed COVID-19 cases in North Carolina, and to understand patterns in virtual visits related to symptoms of COVID-19.MethodsWe conducted a cohort study of confirmed COVID-19 cases and patients using an on-demand, statewide virtual urgent care center.We collected data from February 1, 2020, to March 15, 2020.

Institutional Review Board exemption was obtained prior to the study.ResultsAs of March, 18 2020, 759548-001 there were 92 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 733 total virtual visits.Of the total visits, 257 (35.1%) were related to COVID-19-like symptoms.Of the COVID-19-like visits, the number of females was 178 (69.

2%).People in the age groups of 30-39 years (n=67, 26.1%) and 40-49 years (n=64, 24.9%) were half of the total patients.Additionally, approximately 96.

9% (n=249) of the COVID-like encounters came from within the state of North Carolina.Our study shows that virtual care can provide efficient triaging in the counties with the highest number of COVID-19 cases.We also confirmed that the largest spread of the disease occurs in areas with a high population density as well as in areas with major airports.ConclusionsThe use of virtual care presents promising potential in the fight against COVID-19.Virtual care is capable of reducing emergency room visits, conserving health care resources, and avoiding the spread of COVID-19 by treating patients remotely.

We call for further adoption of virtual care by health systems 2005 buick century starter across the United States and the world during the COVID-19 pandemic.