Impact of close interpersonal contact on COVID-19 incidence: Evidence from 1 year of mobile device data.

ABSTRACT: Close contact between people is the primary route for transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We quantified interpersonal contact at the population level using mobile device geolocation data. We computed the frequency of contact (within 6 feet) between people in Connecticut during February 2020 to January 2021 and aggregated counts of contact events by area of residence. When incorporated into a SEIR-type model of COVID-19 transmission, the contact rate accurately predicted COVID-19 cases in Connecticut towns. Contact in Connecticut explains the initial wave of infections during March to April, the drop in cases during June to August, local outbreaks during August to September, broad statewide resurgence during September to December, and decli

SUBMITTER: Crawford FW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8741180 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature