Identifying and managing high-risk patients during COVID-19
By Dr. Seleem R. Choudhury, DNP
More people are infected with and have died from the coronavirus in the U.S. than anywhere else in the world, according to the available data at the time of this article’s publication (Andrew, 2020). Even with these astounding numbers, researchers are almost certain that the number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. have been significantly undercounted, since individuals with few to no symptoms are rarely tested.
The extent and impact of the COVID pandemic is still emerging. Often when we talk about the virus, it is compared to the Spanish flu or other public health outbreaks. Many in the healthcare industry point to the higher number of deaths in the second wave of the Spanish flu as a reason for grave concern. Though epidemiologists say the same, they also remind us that in the U.S., we are still experiencing the first wave. The second wave is yet to come.
While the healthcare system is encouraging the entire population to practice the basic precautions for avoiding infectious disease transmission, studies show that a focus on those with complex chronic conditions should remain a priority, and is essential to minimize the number of COVID-related deaths (Vishnevetsky & Levy, 2020).
Estimating the number of people at increased risk of severe COVID-19 can help countries “design more effective interventions to protect vulnerable individuals and reduce pressure on health systems. This information can also inform a broader assessment of the health, social, and economic implications of shielding various groups” (Clark, Jit, Warren-Gash, Guthrie, Wang, & Mercer, 2020). The outcome of this virus depends on employing a united approach to protecting the most vulnerable populations among us.