COVID-19 modelling in the Caribbean: Spatial and statistical assessments

Abstract

The novel COVID-19 disease has highlighted the vulnerability of small and developing economies in managing what is now a global health crisis. This study presents the preliminary overview of the dynamics of the spread and expansion of COVID-19 as the disease takes its footprint in the Caribbean. The study explored the spatial clusters of the disease and its variations in the Caribbean region. Data was gathered from the World Health Organization reports and collated into a cross sectional data set. Spatial mapping and spatial lag analysis were conducted to identify spread patterns and statistical relationships with several relevant socioeconomic variables. Models showed the prominence of cases and deaths in countries highly related to the spatial connection of countries with mainland countries and the availability of medical services in the country. Results also similar social distancing policies adopted in the region and the possible connection between prevalence of diabetes and hypertension regionally impacted the number of deaths. It is hoped that the findings presented here will be useful in planning for an epidemiological response for the region based on the differences in the patterns for possible interventions and actions.

Spatiotemporal clustering patterns and sociodemographic determinants of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) infections in Helsinki, Finland

“…However, in the majority of these studies, only one regression-based method was employed. Furthermore, most of the earlier geospatial COVID-19 studies have been conducted at global-continental or country scale ( McKenzie and Adams, 2020 ; Melin et al, 2020 ; Moonsammy et al, 2021 ; Pourghasemi et al, 2020 ; Sannigrahi et al, 2020 ; Sobral et al, 2020 ) or at county/municipality level ( Han et al, 2021 ; Liu et al, 2021; Imdad et al, 2021 ; Martines et al, 2021 ; Rahman et al, 2021 ; Sun et al, 2020 ; Sun, Hu and Xie, 2021 ). Less research has been carried out at postal/ZIP code level ( Cordes and Castro, 2020 ; DiMaggio et al, 2020 ; Kim et al, 2021).…”

What have we learned about socioeconomic inequalities in the spread of COVID-19? A systematic review

“…North America . Among the articles with focus on this region ( ), 97 document outbreaks in the United States, five in Mexico three in Canada and one more in the Caribbean ( Moonsammy, Oyedotun, Renn-Moonsammy, & Oyedotun, 2021 ). Hence, findings summarized in Figure 6 constitute biased views towards the United States.…”

Spatiotemporal pattern of COVID-19 mortality and its relationship with socioeconomic and environmental factors in England

“…Majority of the earlier geospatial COVID-19 studies have been conducted at the global-continental or country scale ( Melin et al, 2020 ; Moonsammy et al, 2021 ) or at the county/municipality level ( Han et al, 2021 ; Martines et al, 2021 ; Sun et al, 2021 ; Travaglio, et al 2021 ). Less research has been carried out at the neighbourhood level ( Cordes and Castro, 2020 ; DiMaggio et al, 2020 ; Kim et al, 2021, Harris, 2021).…”