Cleveland, OH,
18
May
2020
|
14:28 PM
America/New_York

MetroHealth Modeling Projects Increase in COVID-19 Cases

CLEVELAND – Updated modeling by The MetroHealth System projects an increase in COVID-19 cases in Cuyahoga County and across the state later this month and into June as Ohio gradually reopens businesses, with a decrease in cases in late June.

“With more people going back to work, dining out and interacting with others, of course we expect an increase in cases,” said MetroHealth CEO and President Akram Boutros, MD. “Economic activity has to return, but we remind people to take necessary precautions.”

Last month, MetroHealth was the first health care system in the state to release a model predicting the number of cases in Ohio and Cuyahoga County would be significantly lower than originally projected.

MetroHealth’s projections have proven to be largely accurate. They are marked by clusters of infection representing jagged increases and decreases on a graph, as opposed to a larger bell curve demonstrating widespread community infection.

The models were developed to help MetroHealth prepare for and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

MetroHealth’s original modeling captured the extent to which Ohioans were engaged in social distancing. If we were to become lax or immediately go back to numerous unprotected close contacts, the bell-shaped surge would return, Dr. Boutros said.

“One of our concerns has been the increased rates of illness and mortality as people put off necessary medical care and procedures,” Dr. Boutros said. “There’s likely to be a significant increase in impairment and number of deaths if people continue to defer crucial health care services. ”

MetroHealth physicians and public health officials have observed clusters of infection involving people who have attended funerals, after religious celebrations, in nursing homes, the Cuyahoga County Jail, and confined workspaces.

With the gradual reopening of bars, restaurants and other businesses in process, the revised modeling predicts an increase in clusters of infection throughout May. Infections are likely to ebb and flow, but gradually decrease throughout June, according to the modeling.

“We know this will be a sustained issue that our hospitals and community will work together to address for many months to come,” Dr. Boutros said.

Download Projection Slides

About The MetroHealth System

Founded in 1837, MetroHealth is leading the way to a healthier you and a healthier community through service, teaching, discovery, and teamwork. Cuyahoga County’s public, safety-net hospital system, MetroHealth meets people where they are, providing care through five hospitals, four emergency departments and more than 20 health centers. Each day, our nearly 9,000 employees focus on providing our community with equitable healthcare — through patient-focused research, access to care, and support services — that seeks to eradicate health disparities rooted in systematic barriers. For more information, visit metrohealth.org.