COVID-19 Extending to Rural Areas
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04/23/2020 |
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A spokesperson for the National Rural Health Association (NHRA) noted that rural hospitals are encountering a surge in incident cases of COVID-19. Alan Morgan, CEO for the NRHA attributed the trend to the following factors:-
- Extension of infection from urban areas to surrounding towns by commuters and those seeking sanctuary.
- Introduction of infection into small communities by truckers especially along major interstate routes.
- Spread to vacation centers and resort areas by visitors from cities.
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Closed hog plant |
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Closed hospital
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The U.S. may face a problem with a rapidly increasing incidence rate of COVID-19 in rural areas that are not equipped to receive and treat patients. Of 1,820 rural hospitals in the U.S. nearly half are operating at a financial loss. In 2019, eighteen rural hospitals closed and at least six hundred are vulnerable according to Vantage Health and Analytics. |
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Press reports confirm problems in rural states where towns are home to large red meat and poultry processing and packing plants or industrial installations. A second source of concern is the high incidence rate among native American communities that are poorly served by medical facilities. Many in these populations have predisposing conditions including obesity, diabetes and alcoholism that will complicate COVID infection.
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Another closed hospital |
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