Karim I Budhwani 1,2 , Henna Budhwani 2 , Ben Podbielski 3 Show Affiliations »
Abstract
BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk generally increases with the proximity of those shedding the virus to those susceptible to infection. Thus, this risk is a function of both the number of people and the area they occupy. However, the latter continues to evade the COVID-19 testing policy. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to analyze per capita COVID-19 testing data reported for Alabama to evaluate whether testing realignment along population density, rather than density agnostic per capita, would be more effective. METHODS: Descriptive statistical analyses were performed for population, density, COVID-19 tests administered, and positive cases for all 67 Alabama counties. RESULTS: Tests reported per capita appeared to suggest widespread statewide testing. However, there was little correlation (r=0.28, P=.02) between tests per capita and the number of cases. In terms of population density, new cases were higher in areas with a higher population density, despite relatively lower test rates as a function of density. CONCLUSIONS: Increased testing in areas with lower population density has the potential to induce a false sense of security even as cases continue to rise sharply overall. ©Karim I Budhwani, Henna Budhwani, Ben Podbielski. Originally published in JMIRx Med (https://med.jmirx.org), 03.02.2021.
BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk generally increases with the proximity of those shedding the virus to those susceptible to infection. Thus, this risk is a function of both the number of people and the area they occupy. However, the latter continues to evade the COVID-19 testing policy. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to analyze per capita COVID-19 testing data reported for Alabama to evaluate whether testing realignment along population density, rather than density agnostic per capita, would be more effective. METHODS: Descriptive statistical analyses were performed for population, density, COVID-19 tests administered, and positive cases for all 67 Alabama counties. RESULTS: Tests reported per capita appeared to suggest widespread statewide testing. However, there was little correlation (r=0.28, P=.02) between tests per capita and the number of cases. In terms of population density, new cases were higher in areas with a higher population density, despite relatively lower test rates as a function of density. CONCLUSIONS: Increased testing in areas with lower population density has the potential to induce a false sense of security even as cases continue to rise sharply overall. ©Karim I Budhwani, Henna Budhwani, Ben Podbielski. Originally published in JMIRx Med (https://med.jmirx.org), 03.02.2021.
Entities: Chemical
Keywords:
COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus; infectious diseases; per capita; policy; population density; testing
Year: 2021
PMID： 33725028 PMCID： PMC7924706 DOI： 10.2196/22195
Source DB: PubMed Journal: JMIRx Med ISSN： 2563-6316