- Millar, Jess A;
- Dao, Hanh Dung N;
- Stefopulos, Marianne E;
- Estevam, Camila G;
- Fagan-Garcia, Katharine;
- Taft, Diana H;
- Park, Christopher;
- Alruwaily, Amaal;
- Desai, Angel N;
- Majumder, Maimuna S
- Editor(s): Tu, Wen-Jun
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is causing significant morbidity and mortality across the US. In this ecological study, we identified county-level variables associated with the COVID-19 case-fatality rate (CFR) using publicly available datasets and a negative binomial generalized linear model. Variables associated with decreased CFR included a greater number of hospitals per 10,000 people, banning religious gatherings, a higher percentage of people living in mobile homes, and a higher percentage of uninsured people. Variables associated with increased CFR included a higher percentage of the population over age 65, a higher percentage of Black or African Americans, a higher asthma prevalence, and a greater number of hospitals in a county. By identifying factors that are associated with COVID-19 CFR in US counties, we hope to help officials target public health interventions and healthcare resources to locations that are at increased risk of COVID-19 fatalities.