Data Analytics Powers the Fight against Coronavirus

Data analytics is helping analyze volumes of data selected from multiple sources, which includes the data collected for various phases of the Coronavirus, the disease, and its spread. Big data analytics is facilitating the detection of the virus through computerized scans and contact tracing. This is proving to be helpful in containing the transmission of the virus.

Techniques such as structural, mathematical and statistical techniques as well as path and graph analysis are helping identify super spreaders. Further analysis of data from personal electronic devices (PEDs) such as smart-phones, smart-watches and so forth, helps identify a person’s location, browsing patterns, social media interactions, and sentiments.

All of this data can provide insights for an accurate prediction of people who are more prone to exposure. Based on their location history and their close circle of acquaintance, they can be monitored more effectively.

How Data Analytics can help in Curbing the Coronavirus Pandemic

One of the countries that have efficiently harnessed big data analytics to contain the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic is Taiwan. The country reported only about 50 odd cases by mid-March, while its neighbor (South Korea) had clocked close to 8000 cases.

Taiwanese officials have conducted a detailed mapping of people who were infected and from whom they caught the infection. They integrated the Taiwan National Health Insurance databases with immigration and customs databases.

Using all of this data, the Taiwanese Government could trace the 14-days travel histories and symptoms of its citizens. Further, international travelers were asked to scan a QR code. This redirected them to an online health declaration, which was used to provide contact information and symptoms.

By accelerating data processing, big data analytics can facilitate informed, faster and accurate decisions, which can help contain and eventually end this global crisis.

The article has been written by Neetu Katyal, Content and Marketing Consultant

She can be reached on LinkedIn.