Emulation of epidemics via Bluetooth-based virtual safe virus spread: experimental setup, software, and data

Abstract

We describe an experimental setup and a currently running experiment for evaluating how physical interactions over time and between individuals affect the spread of epidemics. Our experiment involves the voluntary use of the Safe Blues Android app by participants at The University of Auckland (UoA) City Campus in New Zealand. The app spreads multiple virtual safe virus strands via Bluetooth depending on the social and physical proximity of the subjects. The evolution of the virtual epidemics is recorded as they spread through the population. The data is presented as a real-time (and historical) dashboard. A simulation model is applied to calibrate strand parameters. Participants' locations are not recorded, but participants are rewarded based on the duration of participation within a geofenced area, and aggregate participation numbers serve as part of the data. Once the experiment is complete, the data will be made available as an open-source anonymized dataset. This paper outlines the experimental setup, software, subject-recruitment practices, ethical considerations, and dataset description. The paper also highlights current experimental results in view of the lockdown that started in New Zealand at 23:59 on August 17, 2021. The experiment was initially planned in the New Zealand environment, expected to be free of COVID and lockdowns after 2020. However, a COVID Delta strain lockdown shuffled the cards and the experiment is currently extended into 2022.

Analyzing the impact of a real-life outbreak simulator on pandemic mitigation: An epidemiological modeling study

“…16 More recently, researchers transmitted virtual ''viral strains'' via Bluetooth in a college campus in New Zealand with the goal of making realtime forecasts of COVID-19 spread. 17 OO differs from prior projects in several ways. The OO app has many more features to heighten the realism of the outbreak experience.…”

“… 16 More recently, researchers transmitted virtual “viral strains” via Bluetooth in a college campus in New Zealand with the goal of making real-time forecasts of COVID-19 spread. 17 …”