COVID-19 and primary care in six countries

Article Figures & Data

Table 1. Site of primary care assessment of potential COVID patients in six countries.^a

Country	Virtual^b(off-site)	Primary care offices	Assessment centres	After-hours clinics	Emergencydepartments	Home visits
Australia	Common	Occasional	Common^c	Sometimes	Common	Occasional
New Zealand	Common	Sometimes	Common	Sometimes	Occasional	Sometimes
Canada	Common	Occasional	Common	Sometimes	Common	Occasional
The Netherlands	Common	Common	Occasional	Common^d	Common	Sometimes^e
UK	Common	Occasional	Common	Sometimes^d	Sometimes	Occasional
US	Common	Sometimes	Common	Sometimes	Sometimes	Occasional

^aThis is based on knowledge of national pandemic plans, professional communications and anecdotal evidence amassed by the authors in order to give a general picture; it does not reflect the heterogeneity that may occur within each country. ^bVirtual assessments were conducted to advise patients as to whether it was necessary to be clinically assessed and, if indicated, to direct them to the appropriate venue. ^cKnown as GP respiratory clinics. ^dSeeing patients in off-hours is part of primary care system. ^eCommonly done for the sub-population of vulnerable older persons.

Table 2. COVID-19 cases, deaths, case-fatalities, and mortality per 100 000 people in six well-resourced countries

Country	Confirmed cases	Deaths	Case-fatality	Death per 100 000 population
UK	321 064	41 454	12.9%	62.35
US	5 438 325	170 497	3.1%	52.11
The Netherlands	64 980	6194	9.5%	35.95
Canada	124 218	9075	7.3%	24.49
Australia	23 773	438	1.8%	1.75
New Zealand	1643	22	1.3%	0.45

Confirmed cases and hence case-fatality depend on the degree to which community testing and surveillance is occurring, and whether all deaths (including those at home or in aged care facilities) are included.
As of 18 Aug 20. Source Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center⁸ https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/data/mortality.