To better understand the factors that contribute to the concentration of COVID-19 cases in geographic regions, the researchers analyzed provincial surveillance data from January 2020 to February 2020. 2021 in Canada.
Yiqing Xia, McGill University, Montral, Quebec, and Huiting Ma, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, write: “Understanding the factors associated with geographic patterns of transmission within cities can help define populations and especially the context of greatest risk” Ontario, with coauthors.
There were 62 709 cases of SARS-CoV-2 in BC, 15 089 in Manitoba, 239 160 in Ontario and 215 928 in Quebec recorded in the 16 census metropolitan areas included in the study.
They account for 81%, 57%, 83% and 80% of all confirmed cases in each province, respectively. The researchers observed the concentration of cases according to social determinants of health, such as income, housing, essential jobs, visible minority status, etc
They found that visible minority status was an important social determinant of health in all cities, with differences in other cities.
These hotspots were largely identified based on social determinants related to occupation, income, housing, and structural racial factors..
16 regions including British Columbia – Vancouver, Kelowna and Abbotsford-Mission; Manitoba – Winnipeg; Ontario – Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo, St. Catharines-Niagara and Windsor; Quebec – Montral, Qubec City, Gatineau, Sherbrooke, Saguenay, Trois-Rivores.
These findings are consistent with the results of other studies from Canada as well as Sweden, the United States, and other countries that have shown higher rates of COVID-19 in racially divided communities or neighborhoods. Diversity.
Geographic hotspot initiatives, such as vaccination rollout and mobile testing access with comprehensive support for quarantine and isolation, effectively reach and respond to prevention needs and community care is at disproportionate risk of COVID-19..
A geographically prioritized allocation of resources and services tailored to local causes of inequalities in uptake and risk of transmission provides a path forward. ahead in the public health response to COVID-19 infection.
Source: Medindia
