Health system capacities.
Across the globe, total COVID-19 cases continue to rise at pace; the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Europe as the pandemic’s epicentre on March 13, and the situation in the United States is set to escalate rapidly. The grave situation in Italy provides an insight into what is facing many other countries around the world. Despite the nation-wide introduction of what have been viewed as ‘extreme’ social distancing measures, Italy’s caseload has continued to rise, with hospitals being compared to war-zones.
Countries with aggressive social distancing policies will reduce the likelihood that their healthcare system will be overwhelmed.
Social care, such as elderly and vulnerable being taken to hospital when they are unable to cope at home, will be interrupted.
Expenditure on health and social care will continue to snowball in order to meet the extra demands on services.
