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The interplay of spatial spread of COVID-19 and human mobility in the urban system of China during the Chinese New Year

Author

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  • Xiaoyan Mu
  • Anthony Gar-On Yeh

    (The 25809University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR)

  • Xiaohu Zhang

Abstract

The rapid spread of infectious diseases is devastating to the healthcare systems of all countries. The dynamics of the spatial spread of epidemic have received considerable scientific attention. However, the understanding of the spatial variation of epidemic severity in the urban system is lagging. Using synchronized epidemic data and human mobility data, integrated with other multiple-sourced data, this study examines the interplay between disease spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and inter-city and intra-city mobility among 319 Chinese cities. The results show a disease spreading process consisting of a major transfer (inter-city) diffusion before the Chinese New Year and a subsequent local (intra-city) diffusion after the Chinese New Year in the urban system of China. The variations in disease incidence between cities are mainly driven by inter-city mobility from Wuhan, the epidemic center of COVID-19. Cities that are closer to the epidemic center and with more population in the urban area will face higher risks of disease incidence. Warm and humid weather could help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The extensive inter-city and intra-city travel interventions in China have reduced approximately 70% and 40% inter-city and intra-city mobility, respectively, and effectively slowed down the spread of the disease by minimizing human to human transmission together with other disease monitoring, control, and preventive measures. These findings could provide valuable insights into understanding the dynamics of disease spread in the urban system and help to respond to another new wave of pandemic in China and other parts of the world.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaoyan Mu & Anthony Gar-On Yeh & Xiaohu Zhang, 2021. "The interplay of spatial spread of COVID-19 and human mobility in the urban system of China during the Chinese New Year," Environment and Planning B, , vol. 48(7), pages 1955-1971, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envirb:v:48:y:2021:i:7:p:1955-1971
    DOI: 10.1177/2399808320954211
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    1. Mengyue Yuan & Tong Liu & Chao Yang, 2022. "Exploring the Relationship among Human Activities, COVID-19 Morbidity, and At-Risk Areas Using Location-Based Social Media Data: Knowledge about the Early Pandemic Stage in Wuhan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-22, May.
    2. Zhangbo Yang & Jiahao Zhang & Shanxing Gao & Hui Wang, 2022. "Complex Contact Network of Patients at the Beginning of an Epidemic Outbreak: An Analysis Based on 1218 COVID-19 Cases in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-17, January.

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