The Geographical Destination Distribution and Effect of Outflow Population of Wuhan When the Outbreak of COVID-19 [新冠肺炎爆发前期武汉外流人口的地理去向分布及影响]

Author/s
Xu X.-K.,
Wen C.,
Zhang G.-Y.,
Sun H.-C.,
Liu B.,
Wang X.-W.
Year
Language
Chinese
Document Type
Article
Source Title
Dianzi Keji Daxue Xuebao/Journal of the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
Publisher
Univ. of Electronic Science and Technology of China

Description

In this paper, we provide a statistical analysis of population movements leaving Wuhan based on mass population movement information which is collected by geographic services of Tencent and Baidu. Firstly, we find that the five million people leaving Wuhan before the official announcement that they will close the exits are not much different from the normal population movement during the previous Spring Festival travel rush. However, small portion of the population poured out of Wuhan in the last period before the exits closed. Secondly, according to statistics of the destination cities of the outflow population from Wuhan starting from 2020, we find that the destination distribution of folks in 2020 was basically same as that in previous years. Finally, the influence of the population leaving Wuhan on epidemic spread is analyzed. We find that the role of incubation period must be considered when measuring this influence. This study is helpful for relevant personnel to grasp the speed of epidemic spread, assess the risk of epidemic, and provides reference to predict and stop disease spreading. © 2020, Editorial Board of Journal of the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China. All right reserved.

Migration angle
Region/Country (by coverage)
Index Keywords

Epidemiology; Population statistics; Risk assessment; Disease spreading; Epidemic spread; Incubation periods; Previous year; Population distribution