Yes, flatten the curve is to prevent chaos. In that context, total cases is close to meaningless. Active case would be a far better metric. Cases that have "completed the process" have no value - other than fear-mongering.

Then you break active cases down by area (read: hospital) and carrier profile (e.g., age, pre-existing conditions, etc.). The point is, not everyone who tests positive is high risk. Not everyone who shows symptons will end up at hospital. Not everyone who ends up at hospital will need a ventilator. And so on.

As it is, this whole event has been a text book case of how not to use data and statistics properly.