ECONOMIC BURDEN OF COVID-19 IN THE REPUBLIC OF BASHKORTOSTAN

Abstract. Introduction. Extent of social losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic is still evaluated incompletely fully assessed despite its declared end. Aim. To study the socioeconomic burden of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Republic of Bashkortostan. Materials and Methods. In this study, we used the method of accounting for the economic burden caused by hospitalizations, sick leaves, and deaths. Four disease severity levels (mild, moderate, severe, and critical) and two treatment options (inpatient or outpatient) were considered. Direct costs were evaluated using the data provided by the Tariff Agreement on Compulsory Medical Insurance in the Republic of Bashkortostan. Indirect losses were evaluated considering the times of the patients’ incapacity to work and assessing the amounts of “underproduced” Gross Regional Product due to their premature deaths. Results and Discussion. The results obtained indicate that total direct medical costs related to the diagnosis and treatment of coronavirus infection increase annually, despite the reducing costs of each treatment stage. Based on published data alone, the three-year direct costs amounted to 0.3 billion rubles for outpatient treatment, 7.4 billion rubles in hospitals, and 4.6 billion rubles for PCR tests. In the loss structure, significant are indirect costs associated with incapacity periods (4.7 billion rubles) and mortality (2.3 billion). Conclusions. COVID-19 pandemic has led to large socioeconomic losses.