Municipal Characteristics and the Covid-19 Pandemic: an Applied Analysis

Resumen

This research analyzed which municipal characteristics would affect the main statistics associated with COVID-19. For this purpose, the study used cross-section data, referring to the municipalities of Minas Gerais, considering the cases and deaths up to April 21, 2021. To obtain reliable results, the variables were evaluated using Ordinary Least Squares, Poisson and Negative Binomial estimators and the Extreme Bounds Analysis, proposed by Levine and Renelt (1992). Small towns, with more basic health units and young populations would have fewer cases and deaths. Alternatively, typically urban, hot, polluted, unequal places with greater economic activity and movement of employees would face more problems related to this coronavirus. Incidence and mortality would increase in hot cities, with greater economic activity and a history of comorbidities. However, mortality would decrease among young people and those with more education. Furthermore, lethality would be lower among young people and in cities with up to 150,000 inhabitants and scarce rain.