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Second waves, social distancing, and the spread of COVID-19 across the USA [version 3; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations]

Friston, KJ; Parr, T; Zeidman, P; Razi, A; Flandin, G; Daunizeau, J; Hulme, OJ; ... Lambert, C; + view all (2021) Second waves, social distancing, and the spread of COVID-19 across the USA [version 3; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations]. Wellcome Open Research , 5 , Article 103. 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.15986.3. Green open access

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Abstract

We recently described a dynamic causal model of a COVID-19 outbreak within a single region. Here, we combine several instantiations of this (epidemic) model to create a (pandemic) model of viral spread among regions. Our focus is on a second wave of new cases that may result from loss of immunity—and the exchange of people between regions—and how mortality rates can be ameliorated under different strategic responses. In particular, we consider hard or soft social distancing strategies predicated on national (Federal) or regional (State) estimates of the prevalence of infection in the population. The modelling is demonstrated using timeseries of new cases and deaths from the United States to estimate the parameters of a factorial (compartmental) epidemiological model of each State and, crucially, coupling between States. Using Bayesian model reduction, we identify the effective connectivity between States that best explains the initial phases of the outbreak in the United States. Using the ensuing posterior parameter estimates, we then evaluate the likely outcomes of different policies in terms of mortality, working days lost due to lockdown and demands upon critical care. The provisional results of this modelling suggest that social distancing and loss of immunity are the two key factors that underwrite a return to endemic equilibrium.

Type: Article
Title: Second waves, social distancing, and the spread of COVID-19 across the USA [version 3; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations]
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.15986.3
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.15986.3
Additional information: © 2021 Friston KJ et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Keywords: coronavirus, epidemiology, compartmental models, dynamic causal modelling, variational, Bayesian
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > The Ear Institute
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology > Imaging Neuroscience
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10125027
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