HEALTH GEOGRAPHY: HOSPITAL BEDS AND THE ADVANCEMENT OF COVID-19 IN THE PIONEER NORTH OF THE STATE OF PARANÁ

Abstract

Since the declaration of the Covid-19 pandemic, made by the World Health Organization (WHO) at the beginning of March 2020, the health system has become the main theme on the global and, obviously, Brazilian social agenda. In Geographic Science, the theme inserted in Health Geography. Considering this scenario, this paper main objective is to reflect on the relationship between hospital beds and the advancement of Covid-19 in the Pioneer North of the State of Paraná. In addition, the expectation is to advance theoretically and methodologically about Health Geography, coronavirus and Covid-19. The methodological procedures were survey of theoretical references about Health Geography, the new coronavirus and Covid-19; survey of data on hospital beds and covid-19 in counties in the region; and, finally, elaboration of cartographic productions and the final writing. The results indicate a high degree of dependence on the Unified Health System (SUS) in the Pioneer North of the State of Paraná and a low number of beds per inhabitant in the counties at the same time that there is a significant advance of the disease in the region.