The impact of public transportation on the transmission of COVID-19 in Rwanda
IntroductionThe onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has placed a significant burden on healthcare systems worldwide, particularly in sub-Saharan regions where healthcare resources are limited. The transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is facilitated by the movement of people from place to place. Therefore, implemen...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2024-02-01
|
| Series: | Frontiers in Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1345433/full |
| _version_ | 1827340804141613056 |
|---|---|
| author | Brigitte Umutoni Brigitte Umutoni Jean Claude Tumushime Jean Claude Tumushime Benjamin Hewins Benjamin Hewins Jean Claude Udahemuka Pacifique Ndishimye Pacifique Ndishimye David J. Kelvin David J. Kelvin Gustavo Sganzerla Martinez Gustavo Sganzerla Martinez |
| author_facet | Brigitte Umutoni Brigitte Umutoni Jean Claude Tumushime Jean Claude Tumushime Benjamin Hewins Benjamin Hewins Jean Claude Udahemuka Pacifique Ndishimye Pacifique Ndishimye David J. Kelvin David J. Kelvin Gustavo Sganzerla Martinez Gustavo Sganzerla Martinez |
| author_sort | Brigitte Umutoni |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionThe onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has placed a significant burden on healthcare systems worldwide, particularly in sub-Saharan regions where healthcare resources are limited. The transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is facilitated by the movement of people from place to place. Therefore, implementing measures that restrict movement of people and contacts is crucial in controlling the spread of the disease. Following the identification of the first COVID-19 case in Rwanda, the government implemented stringent measures, including a complete nationwide lockdown, border closures, curfews, reduced capacity in public transportation and businesses, and mandatory testing. This study aims to assess epidemiological trends in COVID-19 cases in relation to changes in population mobility within the public transportation system.MethodsA descriptive analysis using publicly available data on COVID-19 epidemiological indicators (cases, deaths, vaccinations, and stringency index) and mobility data was conducted.ResultsThe results reveal a strong correlation between mobility in public transportation and other activities, underscoring Rwanda’s reliance on its public transportation system. The study also identifies a pattern where increases in transit station mobility preceded spikes in COVID-19 cases, suggesting that the subsequent rise in public transportation usage may contribute to higher infection rates.DiscussionTherefore, this study emphasizes the importance of ongoing vigilance and regulatory measures regarding public transportation during infectious disease outbreaks. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T21:26:50Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-58f35fa0122b4996ba5f4c8d6c987167 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T21:26:50Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-58f35fa0122b4996ba5f4c8d6c9871672024-02-27T04:33:46ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652024-02-011210.3389/fpubh.2024.13454331345433The impact of public transportation on the transmission of COVID-19 in RwandaBrigitte Umutoni0Brigitte Umutoni1Jean Claude Tumushime2Jean Claude Tumushime3Benjamin Hewins4Benjamin Hewins5Jean Claude Udahemuka6Pacifique Ndishimye7Pacifique Ndishimye8David J. Kelvin9David J. Kelvin10Gustavo Sganzerla Martinez11Gustavo Sganzerla Martinez12College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, RwandaCenter for Research and Innovation, African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), Kigali, RwandaCollege of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, RwandaCenter for Research and Innovation, African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), Kigali, RwandaDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, CanadaDepartment of Pediatrics, Izaak Walton Killam (IWK) Health Center, Canadian Center for Vaccinology (CCfV), Halifax, NS, CanadaDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, University of Rwanda, Nyagatare, RwandaDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, CanadaDepartment of Pediatrics, Izaak Walton Killam (IWK) Health Center, Canadian Center for Vaccinology (CCfV), Halifax, NS, CanadaDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, CanadaDepartment of Pediatrics, Izaak Walton Killam (IWK) Health Center, Canadian Center for Vaccinology (CCfV), Halifax, NS, CanadaDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, CanadaDepartment of Pediatrics, Izaak Walton Killam (IWK) Health Center, Canadian Center for Vaccinology (CCfV), Halifax, NS, CanadaIntroductionThe onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has placed a significant burden on healthcare systems worldwide, particularly in sub-Saharan regions where healthcare resources are limited. The transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is facilitated by the movement of people from place to place. Therefore, implementing measures that restrict movement of people and contacts is crucial in controlling the spread of the disease. Following the identification of the first COVID-19 case in Rwanda, the government implemented stringent measures, including a complete nationwide lockdown, border closures, curfews, reduced capacity in public transportation and businesses, and mandatory testing. This study aims to assess epidemiological trends in COVID-19 cases in relation to changes in population mobility within the public transportation system.MethodsA descriptive analysis using publicly available data on COVID-19 epidemiological indicators (cases, deaths, vaccinations, and stringency index) and mobility data was conducted.ResultsThe results reveal a strong correlation between mobility in public transportation and other activities, underscoring Rwanda’s reliance on its public transportation system. The study also identifies a pattern where increases in transit station mobility preceded spikes in COVID-19 cases, suggesting that the subsequent rise in public transportation usage may contribute to higher infection rates.DiscussionTherefore, this study emphasizes the importance of ongoing vigilance and regulatory measures regarding public transportation during infectious disease outbreaks.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1345433/fullCOVID-19SARS-CoV-2public transportationepidemiological trendsdisease transmission |
| spellingShingle | Brigitte Umutoni Brigitte Umutoni Jean Claude Tumushime Jean Claude Tumushime Benjamin Hewins Benjamin Hewins Jean Claude Udahemuka Pacifique Ndishimye Pacifique Ndishimye David J. Kelvin David J. Kelvin Gustavo Sganzerla Martinez Gustavo Sganzerla Martinez The impact of public transportation on the transmission of COVID-19 in Rwanda Frontiers in Public Health COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 public transportation epidemiological trends disease transmission |
| title | The impact of public transportation on the transmission of COVID-19 in Rwanda |
| title_full | The impact of public transportation on the transmission of COVID-19 in Rwanda |
| title_fullStr | The impact of public transportation on the transmission of COVID-19 in Rwanda |
| title_full_unstemmed | The impact of public transportation on the transmission of COVID-19 in Rwanda |
| title_short | The impact of public transportation on the transmission of COVID-19 in Rwanda |
| title_sort | impact of public transportation on the transmission of covid 19 in rwanda |
| topic | COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 public transportation epidemiological trends disease transmission |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1345433/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT brigitteumutoni theimpactofpublictransportationonthetransmissionofcovid19inrwanda AT brigitteumutoni theimpactofpublictransportationonthetransmissionofcovid19inrwanda AT jeanclaudetumushime theimpactofpublictransportationonthetransmissionofcovid19inrwanda AT jeanclaudetumushime theimpactofpublictransportationonthetransmissionofcovid19inrwanda AT benjaminhewins theimpactofpublictransportationonthetransmissionofcovid19inrwanda AT benjaminhewins theimpactofpublictransportationonthetransmissionofcovid19inrwanda AT jeanclaudeudahemuka theimpactofpublictransportationonthetransmissionofcovid19inrwanda AT pacifiquendishimye theimpactofpublictransportationonthetransmissionofcovid19inrwanda AT pacifiquendishimye theimpactofpublictransportationonthetransmissionofcovid19inrwanda AT davidjkelvin theimpactofpublictransportationonthetransmissionofcovid19inrwanda AT davidjkelvin theimpactofpublictransportationonthetransmissionofcovid19inrwanda AT gustavosganzerlamartinez theimpactofpublictransportationonthetransmissionofcovid19inrwanda AT gustavosganzerlamartinez theimpactofpublictransportationonthetransmissionofcovid19inrwanda AT brigitteumutoni impactofpublictransportationonthetransmissionofcovid19inrwanda AT brigitteumutoni impactofpublictransportationonthetransmissionofcovid19inrwanda AT jeanclaudetumushime impactofpublictransportationonthetransmissionofcovid19inrwanda AT jeanclaudetumushime impactofpublictransportationonthetransmissionofcovid19inrwanda AT benjaminhewins impactofpublictransportationonthetransmissionofcovid19inrwanda AT benjaminhewins impactofpublictransportationonthetransmissionofcovid19inrwanda AT jeanclaudeudahemuka impactofpublictransportationonthetransmissionofcovid19inrwanda AT pacifiquendishimye impactofpublictransportationonthetransmissionofcovid19inrwanda AT pacifiquendishimye impactofpublictransportationonthetransmissionofcovid19inrwanda AT davidjkelvin impactofpublictransportationonthetransmissionofcovid19inrwanda AT davidjkelvin impactofpublictransportationonthetransmissionofcovid19inrwanda AT gustavosganzerlamartinez impactofpublictransportationonthetransmissionofcovid19inrwanda AT gustavosganzerlamartinez impactofpublictransportationonthetransmissionofcovid19inrwanda |