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. 2020 Dec;9(4):623-638.
doi: 10.1016/j.hlpt.2020.08.007. Epub 2020 Aug 27.

COVID-19 pandemic in the United States

Savannah Bergquist  1 , Thomas Otten  2 , Nick Sarich  3
Affiliations

COVID-19 pandemic in the United States

Savannah Bergquist et al. Health Policy Technol. 2020 Dec.

Abstract

Objectives: The paper highlights US health policy and technology responses to the COVID-19 pandemic from January 1, 2020 - August 9, 2020.

Methods: A review of primary data sources in the US was conducted. The data were summarized to describe national and state-level trends in the spread of COVID-19 and in policy and technology solutions.

Results: COVID-19 cases and deaths initially peaked in late March and April, but after a brief reduction in June cases and deaths began rising again during July and continued to climb into early August. The US policy response is best characterized by its federalist, decentralized nature. The national government has led in terms of economic and fiscal response, increasing funding for scientific research into testing, treatment, and vaccines, and in creating more favorable regulations for the use of telemedicine. State governments have been responsible for many of the containment, testing, and treatment responses, often with little federal government support. Policies that favor economic re-opening are often followed by increases in state-level case numbers, which are then followed by stricter containment measures, such as mask wearing or pausing re-opening plans.

Conclusions: While all US states have begun to "re-open" economic activities, this trend appears to be largely driven by social tensions and economic motivations rather than an ability to effectively test and surveil populations.

Keywords: Coronavirus; Federalist policy; Pandemic; United States.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
State-level population demographics and health.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
US COVID-19 trends.
Fig 3
Fig. 3
Weekly provisional COVID-19 deaths by age group, January 27, 2020 – August 1, 2020.
Fig 4
Fig. 4
Daily hospitalization rate.
Fig 5
Fig. 5
Daily testing rate.
Fig 6
Fig. 6
Case incidence rates April 1, 2010 – August 1, 2020.
Fig 7
Fig. 7
Testing rates April 1, 2010 – August 1, 2020.
Fig 8
Fig. 8
Timeline of COVID-19 National US Policy Response.
Fig 9
Fig. 9
Mitigation policies by state.
Fig 10
Fig. 10
Gross domestic product, 2018 – Q2 2020.
Fig 11
Fig. 11
US unemployment rate January to July 2020.
Fig 12
Fig. 12
US consumer confidence index January to July 2020.
Fig 13
Fig. 13
US consumer price index January to July 2020.
Fig 14
Fig. 14
3-month and 10-year treasury yields.
Fig 15
Fig. 15
S&P 500 trends January – August 2020.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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