Tracking COVID-19 burden in India using SMAART RAPID tracker

Abstract

Objective- India has seen a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases. Examine spatiotemporal variation of COVID-19 burden Tracker across Indian states and union territories using SMAART RAPID Tracker. Method: We used SMAART RAPID Tracker to visually display COVID-19 spread in space and time across various states and UTs of India. Data is gathered from publicly available government information sources. Data analysis on COVID-19 has been conducted from March 1 2020 to October 1 2020. Variables recorded include COVID-19 cases and fatality, 7-day average change, recovery rate, labs and tests. Spatial and temporal trends of COVID-19 spread across Indian states and UTs is presented.  Result: The total number of COVID-19 cases were 63, 12,584 and total fatality was 86,821 (October 1 2020). More than 85,000 new cases of COVID-19 were reported. There were 1,867 total COVID-19 labs throughout India. More than half of them were Government labs. The total number of COVID-19 tests was 76,717,728 and total recovered COVID-19 cases was 5,273,201. Results show an overall decline in the 7-day average change of new COVID-19 cases and new COVID-19 fatality. States such as Maharashtra, Chandigarh, Puducherry, Goa, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh continue to have high COVID-19 infectivity rate. Discussion: Findings highlight need for both national guidelines combined with a state specific recommendations to help manage the spread of COVD-19. Conclusion: India’s great diversity along with its vast population would help decide further actions to contain the spread of the disease, and can be crucial for the specific states only.