The distribution of hospital capacities in the face of the covid-19 pandemic in Mexico

Abstract

This study aims to identify the hospital coverage at the municipal level, from the analysis of the infrastructure and personnel available and their possibilities of expansion, to avoid overload hospital capacity due to the increased demand for critical care, because of the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico. The study uses the Shapley method, a series of indexes constructed to target the most vulnerable municipalities in the health sector before, during, and after the pandemic, which, in turn, makes possible the development of mitigation measures that could be used to absorb the impacts of this contingency. Concerning municipalities with high and medium exposure, it is highlighted that although cities and metropolitan areas have the necessary health resources, they are not prepared to cover ahigh demandof patient hospitalization. In thepresent analysis,it is recommendedto continue with policies of social distancing to mitigate the spread of the disease until the needs for attending the demand are met.