COVID-19 AND SOCIAL VULNERABILITY: DESCRIPTIVE STUDY ABOUT A CASE SERIE IN THE METROPOLITAN AREA OF BUENOS AIRES*

Abstract

Introduction: Morbidity and mortality due to COVID-19 constitutes a global public health problem, in Argentina and the Buenos Aires province. Populations with social vulnerability have a fragility which exposes them to grater risks.. Objective: To characterize the social vulnerability of a series of confirmed cases that reside in the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Variables of gender, age, evolution and domicile were analyzed and categorized through the Socio-Territorial Vulnerability Index (STVI). Results: the age of the cases was between 20 and 59 years, 48% was female and the remaining male. 47% of the cases were from vulnerable areas. Hospitalizations were 28% of the cases, the majority from non-vulnerable areas. 3.8% of the cases reached intensive care. Vulnerable cases had a greater need for intensive care. The fatality rate was 2.4% and higher in men. After age 60, the fatality excess in vulnerable areas was statistically significant. Discussion: Among the cases, there were no important differences between residents of vulnerable and non-vulnerable areas. The differences were marked in severity (measured by ICU admission) and in the fatality rate of those over 60 years old, which was higher in vulnerable areas. Vulnerability was expressed in the evolution of the disease in those over 60 years of age.