Spatial analysis of the origin-destination flow of admissions for severe acute respiratory syndrome by COVID-19 in the Metropolitan Region of Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

This study analyzed the intercity flow of SRAG admissions by COVID-19 in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro. We identified 12,676 inter-municipal hospitalizations for COVID-19 involving the municipality of Rio de Janeiro. Among these admissions, 11,288 (89.0%) were residents of the RM, 87% were residents of other cities in the RM and hospitalized in the MRJ and 13% residents of the MRJ and hospitalized in other municipalities in the RM. There is a negative correlation between the distance between cities and the origin-destination flow (r=0.62, p<0.001). MRJ imports more SRAG admissions by COVID-19 than it exports. This study highlights the importance of care networks for more severe cases that mainly require specialized care.