Online behavioural patterns for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the United Kingdom.

ABSTRACT: The current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic offers a unique opportunity to conduct an infodemiological study examining patterns in online searching activity about a specific disease and how this relates to news media within a specific country. Google Trends quantifies volumes of online activity. The relative search volume was obtained for 'Coronavirus', 'handwashing', 'face mask' and symptom related keywords, for the United Kingdom, from the date of the first confirmed case until numbers peaked in April. The relationship between online search traffic and confirmed case numbers was examined. Search volumes varied over time; peaks appear related to events in the progression of the epidemic which were reported in the media. Search activity on 'Coronavirus' correlated well against confirmed ca

SUBMITTER: Walker MD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7306408 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature