A group of healthcare experts from UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke University, RTI International and others released Monday a forecast model of how the coronavirus could affect hospital capacity in North Carolina in the coming weeks.

 “The modeling affirms that the actions we take now will determine how this virus will impact North Carolina in the weeks and months to come,” N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen said in a statement. “We need to continue to do everything in our power so that fewer people get sick at the same time, while also surging the capacity of our health care system so those that do need hospital care will have it. Please stay home now to save lives.”

The bottom line of the model is that the state needs to continue to reduce the spread of COVID-19 infection; and expand its healthcare capacity and healthcare workforce, according to the report.

See the entire report online here.