Spatiotemporal transmission dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on critical healthcare capacity

Diego F. Cuadros, Yanyu Xiao, Zindoga Mukandavire, Esteban Correa-Agudelo, Andrés Hernández, Hana Kim, Neil J. MacKinnon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

41 Scopus citations

Abstract

The role of geospatial disparities in the dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic is poorly understood. We developed a spatially-explicit mathematical model to simulate transmission dynamics of COVID-19 disease infection in relation with the uneven distribution of the healthcare capacity in Ohio, U.S. The results showed substantial spatial variation in the spread of the disease, with localized areas showing marked differences in disease attack rates. Higher COVID-19 attack rates experienced in some highly connected and urbanized areas (274 cases per 100,000 people) could substantially impact the critical health care response of these areas regardless of their potentially high healthcare capacity compared to more rural and less connected counterparts (85 cases per 100,000). Accounting for the spatially uneven disease diffusion linked to the geographical distribution of the critical care resources is essential in designing effective prevention and control programmes aimed at reducing the impact of COVID-19 pandemic.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number102404
JournalHealth and Place
Volume64
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2020
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • Critical healthcare capacity
  • Spatial epidemiology
  • Spatially-explicit mathematical model
  • Transport connectivity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • Life-span and Life-course Studies

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Spatiotemporal transmission dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on critical healthcare capacity'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this