A new methodology for COVID-19 preparedness centers based on a location-allocation platform

COVID-19 disease is spreading all over the planet. It is more than necessary that any researcher does his/her part to control this pandemic disease. Since this virus is infectious, and due to the limitations of hospitals, in different matters, such as human recourses (expertise) and needed equipment, it is reasonable to identify a pre-determined number of hospitals as COVID-19 pandemic centers and trying to equip them as much as possible to treat a relative patient in them. This study proposes a methodology based on a multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) method, namely BWM-WASPAS, for COVID-19 preparedness centers based on a location-allocation problem. This methodology is examined in Tehran city as a real-life case study. We find out that the most important item in this decision making is the ICU capacity. However, ignoring the other criteria is not allowed at all.