A second wave of COVID-19 in Cook County: What lessons can be applied?

Authors

  • Gregory Arling Purdue University, School of Nursing, College of Health and Human Sciences
  • Matthew Blaser United States Environmental Protection Agency, Research Associate under an inter-agency agreement with Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education
  • Michael Cailas University of Illinois at Chicago
  • John Canar United States Environmental Protection Agency Region V; and Health Policy and Administration, School of Public Health, University of Illinois Chicago
  • Brian Cooper United States Environmental Protection Agency Region V; and Health Policy and Administration, School of Public Health, University of Illinois Chicago
  • Peter Geraci Health Policy and Administration, School of Public Health, University of Illinois Chicago
  • Kristin Osiecki
  • Apostolis Sambanis Health Policy and Administration, School of Public Health, University of Illinois Chicago

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5210/ojphi.v12i2.11506

Abstract

During the ongoing public health crisis, many agencies are reporting COVID-19 health outcome information based on the overall population. This practice can lead to misleading results and underestimation of high risk areas. To gain a better understanding of spatial and temporal distribution of COVID-19 deaths; the long term care facility (LTCF) and household population (HP) deaths must be used. This approach allows us to better discern high risk areas and provides policy makers with reliable information for community engagement and mitigation strategies. By focusing on high-risk LTCFs and residential areas, protective measures can be implemented to minimize COVID-19 spread and subsequent mortality.  These areas should be a high priority target when COVID-19 vaccines become available.

Author Biography

Michael Cailas, University of Illinois at Chicago

Associate Professor, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, SPH

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Published

2020-12-10

How to Cite

Arling, G., Blaser, M., Cailas, M., Canar, J., Cooper, B., Geraci, P., … Sambanis, A. (2020). A second wave of COVID-19 in Cook County: What lessons can be applied?. Online Journal of Public Health Informatics, 12(2). https://doi.org/10.5210/ojphi.v12i2.11506

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 2 (2020): Online Journal of Public Health Informatics

Section

Editorial

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