Ciência & saúde coletiva
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Ciência & saúde coletiva · Sep 2020
Estimates of the impact of COVID-19 on mortality of institutionalized elderly in Brazil.
The COVID-19 pandemic poses difficulties for long-term care institutions for the elderly, with increased mortality rates for the residents. This study aims to estimate the impact of COVID-19 on mortality of institutionalized elderly in Brazil. Estimates of the percentage of elderly deaths occurring in care homes were calculated for Brazil, States and Regions using estimates for the total number of deaths. ⋯ Higher numbers of deaths were expected in the Southeast Region (48,779 deaths), followed by the Northeast Region (28,451 deaths); São Paulo was the most affected State (24,500 deaths). The strong impact of COVID-19 on the elderly population living in long-term care facilities is clear. Estimates for the country exceeded 100,000 elderly people, potentially the most fragile and vulnerable, and are based upon a conservative number of total deaths, in view of other estimates and the alarming situation of death growth in Brazil from COVID-19.