Correlation Analysis of the Population Emigration Rate in Wuhan and the Trend of Novel Pneumonia in Hubei Province
16 Pages Posted: 13 Feb 2020
Wei Li
Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) - Department of Geriatric Psychiatry
Ling Yue
Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) - Department of Geriatric Psychiatry
Lin Sun
Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) - Department of Geriatric Psychiatry
Shifu Xiao
Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) - Department of Geriatric Psychiatry
Abstract
Background: The ongoing outbreak of the recently emerged novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) poses a challenge for China. We speculated that the emigration rate of Wuhan population might have an important impact on the number of confirmed cases and mortality in other areas of Hubei Province.
Methods: Based on the official website of health commission of Hubei Province (wjw.hubei.gov.cn), we obtained the trend of pneumonia epidemic with novel coronavirus infection over time in Hubei Province. By analyzing Baidu map migration big data (qianxi.baidu.com),we also got the flow direction of Wuhan population from January 20,2020 to February 7,2020.
Results: Since January 20, 2020, the number of confirmed cases, cured cases and dead cases of novel pneumonia in Hubei Province has been increasing. However, after February 4, 2020, the number of cured cases has exceeded the number of dead cases. The case fatality rate gradually increased from January 20 to January 24, decreased on January 25, reached the peak on January 26, then gradually decreased, and finally stabilized at about 2.8. The results of correlation analysis showed that the average emigration rate in Wuhan was positively correlated with the number of confirmed cases (r=0.899, p<0.001) and the number of fatalities(r=0.851, p<0.001).
Conclusions: China is still facing a huge challenge of novel coronavirus. However, despite the increasing number of confirmed cases, the current cure rate has exceeded the case fatality rate. There is a positive correlation between the emigration rate of Wuhan population and the number of confirmed cases and the mortality rate in Hubei Province, so we still need to strictly control the outward circulation of Wuhan population.