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Interpreting COVID-19 and Virtual Care Trends: Cohort Study.
Khairat, Saif; Meng, Chenlu; Xu, Yuxuan; Edson, Barbara; Gianforcaro, Robert.
  • Khairat S; School or Nursing, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, NC, United States.
  • Meng C; School of Information and Library Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.
  • Xu Y; School of Information and Library Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.
  • Edson B; UNC Health, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.
  • Gianforcaro R; UNC Health, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.
JMIR Public Health Surveill ; 6(2): e18811, 2020 04 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-60410
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

The 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.

OBJECTIVE:

The 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.

METHODS:

We 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.

RESULTS:

As of March, 18 2020, 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.

CONCLUSIONS:

The 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 across the United States and the world during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Pneumonia, Viral / Telemedicine / Coronavirus Infections / Pandemics Type of study: Cohort study / Diagnostic study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Adolescent / Adult / Aged / Child / Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged / Young adult Country/Region as subject: North America Language: English Journal: JMIR Public Health Surveill Year: 2020 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: 18811

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Pneumonia, Viral / Telemedicine / Coronavirus Infections / Pandemics Type of study: Cohort study / Diagnostic study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Adolescent / Adult / Aged / Child / Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged / Young adult Country/Region as subject: North America Language: English Journal: JMIR Public Health Surveill Year: 2020 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: 18811