Suchergebnisse

Objectives To describe epidemiological data on cases of COVID-19 and the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in the United Kingdom (UK), and the subsequent policy and technological response to the pandemic, including impact on healthcare, business and the economy. Methods Epidemiological, business and economic data were extracted from official government sources covering the period 31st January to 13th August 2020; healthcare system data up to end of June 2019. Results UK-wide COVID-19 cases and deaths were 313,798 and 46,706 respectively (472 cases and 70 deaths per 100,000 population) by 12th August. There were regional variations in England, with London and North West (756 and 666 cases per 100,000 population respectively) disproportionately affected compared with other regions. As of 11th August, 13,618,470 tests had been conducted in the UK. Increased risk of mortality was associated with age (≥60 years), gender (male) and BAME groups. Since onset of the pandemic, emergency department attendance, primary care utilisation and cancer referrals and inpatient/outpatient referrals have declined; emergency ambulance and NHS111 calls increased. Business sectors most impacted are the arts, entertainment and recreation, followed by accommodation and food services. Government interventions aimed at curtailing the business and economic impact have been implemented, but applications for state benefits have increased. Conclusions The impact of COVID-19 on the UK population, health system and economy has been profound. More data are needed to implement the optimal policy and technological responses to preventing further spikes in COVID-19 cases, and to inform strategic planning to manage future pandemics.

Objectives: To describe epidemiological data on cases of COVID-19 and the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in the United Kingdom (UK), and the subsequent policy and technological response to the pandemic, including impact on healthcare, business and the economy. Methods: Epidemiological, business and economic data were extracted from official government sources covering the period 31st January to 13th August 2020; healthcare system data up to end of June 2019. Results: UK-wide COVID-19 cases and deaths were 313,798 and 46,706 respectively (472 cases and 70 deaths per 100,000 population) by 12th August. There were regional variations in England, with London and North West (756 and 666 cases per 100,000 population respectively) disproportionately affected compared with other regions. As of 11th August, 13,618,470 tests had been conducted in the UK. Increased risk of mortality was associated with age (≥60 years), gender (male) and BAME groups. Since onset of the pandemic, emergency department attendance, primary care utilisation and cancer referrals and inpatient/outpatient referrals have declined; emergency ambulance and NHS111 calls increased. Business sectors most impacted are the arts, entertainment and recreation, followed by accommodation and food services. Government interventions aimed at curtailing the business and economic impact have been implemented, but applications for state benefits have increased. Conclusions: The impact of COVID-19 on the UK population, health system and economy has been profound. More data are needed to implement the optimal policy and technological responses to preventing further spikes in COVID-19 cases, and to inform strategic planning to manage future pandemics.

Acknowledgements This research was supported by the Health Foundation Improvement Science Award (grant number: GIFTS ID 7223 awarded to SP). JMG holds a Canada Research Chair in Health Knowledge Transfer and Uptake. DK's work is carried out within the HOMING program of the Foundation for Polish Science co-financed by the European Union under the European Regional Development Fund; grant number POIR.04.04.00-00-5CF3/18-00; HOMING 5/2018. We would also like to thank Lauren Basey for optimising the design of our included figure. ; Peer reviewed ; Publisher PDF

Funding Information: This research was supported by the Health Foundation Improvement Science Award (grant number: GIFTS ID 7223 awarded to Sebastian Potthoff). Tracy Finch, Tim Rapley, Sebastian Potthoff, Tom Saunders and Luke Vale are members of the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North East and North Cumbria ( NIHR200173 ). Luke Vale is also a member of the NIHR Newcastle In Vitro Diagnostics Co-operative, NIHR School for Public Health Research, and Fuse, the Centre for Translational Research in Public Health . The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care . Jeremy M. Grimshaw holds a Canada Research Chair in Health Knowledge Transfer and Uptake. Dominika Kwasnicka's work is carried out within the HOMING program of the Foundation for Polish Science co-financed by the European Union under the European Regional Development Fund ; grant number POIR.04.04.00-00-5CF3/18-00 ; HOMING 5/2018. We would also like to thank Lauren Basey for optimising the design of our included figure. Funding Information: This research was supported by the Health Foundation Improvement Science Award (grant number: GIFTS ID 7223 awarded to Sebastian Potthoff). Tracy Finch, Tim Rapley, Sebastian Potthoff, Tom Saunders and Luke Vale are members of the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North East and North Cumbria (NIHR200173). Luke Vale is also a member of the NIHR Newcastle In Vitro Diagnostics Co-operative, NIHR School for Public Health Research, and Fuse, the Centre for Translational Research in Public Health. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care. Jeremy M. Grimshaw holds a Canada Research Chair in Health Knowledge Transfer and Uptake. Dominika Kwasnicka's work is carried out within the HOMING program of the Foundation for Polish Science co-financed by the European Union under the European Regional Development Fund; grant number POIR.04.04.00-00-5CF3/18-00; ...