Impact of mobility restrictions on the dynamics of transmission of COVID-19 in Colombian cities

Abstract

Background: Our aim was to study the association between case rates and reductions in urban mobility in state capitals of Colombia. Methods: We designed an ecological time-series study to correlate the Colombian incidence rate with reductions in mobility trends of retail stores. Results: The meta-analysis of β coefficients describing the association between case rates and reductions in mobility trends of retail stores resulted in a mean estimate of 0.0637 (95% confidence interval 0.027 to 0.101; p<0.001) with nearly 100% heterogeneity. Conclusions: We recommend continuing to consider mobility restrictions when the number of cases starts to climb in each local jurisdiction.