tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Arch Bone Jt Surg
. 2021 Mar;9(2):217-223.
doi: 10.22038/abjs.2020.48515.2404.
Mobile Phone GPS Data and Prevalence of COVID-19 Infections: Quantifying Parameters of Social Distancing in the U.S
Nicholas N DePhillipo[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Jorge Chahla[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Michael Busler[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Robert F LaPrade[SUP] 1 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
Background: To evaluate the association between social distancing quantified by mobile phone data and the current prevalence of COVID-19 infections in the U.S. per capita.
Methods: Data were accessed on April 4, 2020, from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Google COVID-19 Community Mobility Report, and the United States Census Bureau to report prevalence of COVID-19 infections, mobility data, and population per state, respectively. Mobility data points were defined as daily length of visit or time spent in a single location based on mobile phone users shared locations from February 7 - March 29, 2020. Multivariable linear regression was used to evaluate relationships between normalized per capita infection prevalence and six parameters of social distancing.
Results: Mobility data indicated the following percent changes compared to median values of baseline activity: -50% in transit stations, -45% in retail/recreation, -36% in workplaces, -23% in grocery/pharmacy, -19% in parks, and +12% in residential living areas. Multivariable linear regression revealed significant correlation between prevalence of infection per capita and parameters of social distancing (R= 0.604, P= 0.002). Time at home was not an independent predictor for prevalence of infection per capita (beta= 0.016; 95% CI, -0.003 to 0.036; P= 0.09).
Conclusion: Based on mobility reports from mobile phone GPS data and six characteristics of social distancing, significant associations were identified between geographic activity and prevalence of COVID-19 infections in the U.S. per capita. Mobile phone data utilizing 'location history' may be warranted to monitor the effectiveness of social distancing parameters on reducing prevalence of COVID-19 in the U.S.
Keywords: Contact tracing; Coronavirus; Social distancing.
. 2021 Mar;9(2):217-223.
doi: 10.22038/abjs.2020.48515.2404.
Mobile Phone GPS Data and Prevalence of COVID-19 Infections: Quantifying Parameters of Social Distancing in the U.S
Nicholas N DePhillipo[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Jorge Chahla[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Michael Busler[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Robert F LaPrade[SUP] 1 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 34026940
- PMCID: PMC8121034
- DOI: 10.22038/abjs.2020.48515.2404
Abstract
Background: To evaluate the association between social distancing quantified by mobile phone data and the current prevalence of COVID-19 infections in the U.S. per capita.
Methods: Data were accessed on April 4, 2020, from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Google COVID-19 Community Mobility Report, and the United States Census Bureau to report prevalence of COVID-19 infections, mobility data, and population per state, respectively. Mobility data points were defined as daily length of visit or time spent in a single location based on mobile phone users shared locations from February 7 - March 29, 2020. Multivariable linear regression was used to evaluate relationships between normalized per capita infection prevalence and six parameters of social distancing.
Results: Mobility data indicated the following percent changes compared to median values of baseline activity: -50% in transit stations, -45% in retail/recreation, -36% in workplaces, -23% in grocery/pharmacy, -19% in parks, and +12% in residential living areas. Multivariable linear regression revealed significant correlation between prevalence of infection per capita and parameters of social distancing (R= 0.604, P= 0.002). Time at home was not an independent predictor for prevalence of infection per capita (beta= 0.016; 95% CI, -0.003 to 0.036; P= 0.09).
Conclusion: Based on mobility reports from mobile phone GPS data and six characteristics of social distancing, significant associations were identified between geographic activity and prevalence of COVID-19 infections in the U.S. per capita. Mobile phone data utilizing 'location history' may be warranted to monitor the effectiveness of social distancing parameters on reducing prevalence of COVID-19 in the U.S.
Keywords: Contact tracing; Coronavirus; Social distancing.