Healthcare System Capacity and the COVID-19 Pandemic: International Evidence

The purpose of this article is to explore the capacity of the WHO SPAR preparedness metrics to explain the spread of the COVID-19 infection as reflected by national health statistics. We hypothesise relationships between healthcare system preparedness and outcome (cumulative number and growth of infections and casualties reported to relate to COVID-19). I control for the impact of general attitudes of the population, and government approach to implementing policies towards implementing restrictions through various proxies. Furthermore, we control for basic characteristics influencing population interaction and presence of vulnerable groups, through selected proxies. The findings suggest the positive relationship between the readiness scores and the infection and casualty rates.