Abstract

MENDIZABAL-RUIZ, Gerardo. A Method for Evaluating the Risk of Exposure to COVID-19 by Using Location Data. Rev. mex. ing. bioméd [online]. 2021, vol.42, n.1, e1661.  Epub Feb 05, 2021. ISSN 2395-9126.  https://doi.org/10.17488/rmib.42.1.3.

One of the main reasons for the widespread dissemination of COVID-19 is that many infected people are asymptomatic. Consequently, they likely spread the virus to other people as they continue their everyday life. This emphasizes the importance for targeting high-risk groups for the diagnosis of COVID-19 (with real-time PCR techniques). However, the availability of the necessary technology and resources may be limited in certain towns, cities or countries. Thus, the challenge is to determine a criterion in order to prioritize the suspected cases most in need of testing. The aim of the present study was to develop a method for evaluating the risk of exposure to COVID-19 infection based on geolocation data. The risk is expressed as a score that will be instrumental in optimally applying the COVID-19 test to suspected cases representing the highest probability of exposure. It can be easily and quickly implemented with easily accessible open source tools. A simulation was herein conducted with data from four people, assigning infection to one of them. The results show the feasibility of assessing the risk of exposure with the new methodology. Additionally, the data obtained might provide insights into the sometimes complicated patterns of virus propagation.

Keywords : Risk assessment; COVID-19; location data.

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