Detecting Spatial Clusters of Coronavirus Infection Across London During the Second Wave.

Abstract

The identification of seriously infected areas across a city, region, or country can inform policies and assist in resources allocation. Concentration of coronavirus infection can be identified through applying cluster detection methods to coronavirus cases over space. To enhance the identification of seriously infected areas by relevant studies, this study focused on coronavirus infection by small area across a city during the second wave. Specifically, we firstly explored spatiotemporal patterns of new coronavirus cases. Subsequently, we detected spatial clusters of new coronavirus cases by small area. Empirically, we used the London-wide small-area coronavirus infection data aggregately collected. Methodologically, we applied a fast Bayesian model-based detection method newly developed to new coronavirus cases by small area. As empirical evidence on the association of socioeconomic factors and coronavirus spread have been found, spatial patterns of coronavirus infection are arguably associated with socioeconomic and built environmental characteristics. Therefore, we further investigated the socioeconomic and built environmental characteristics of the clusters detected. As a result, the most significant clusters of new cases during the second wave are likely to occur around the airports. And, lower income or lower healthcare accessibility is associated with concentration of coronavirus infection across London.