Contact Patterns

Project Background

COronaVIrus Disease 19 (COVID-19), the disease caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoronaVirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is primarily spread through prolonged periods of contact with an infected individual. Because of this, the amounts and patterns of physical interactions are some of the most important determinants for transmission patterns of the virus. This also means that the success of physical distancing measures imposed depends on the population having decreased close contacts.  

In Canada, there has not been any known studies that quantifies and characterizes the actual contact rates and patterns, and its effect on transmission. Moreover, although it is generally accepted that there are disparities in COVID-19 risk and health outcomes due to the social determinants of health, the association of social determinants of health, contact rates and risk of acquiring COVID-19 infection has been less studied.  

Objectives 

In response to this knowledge gap, our research analyses focuses on the following topics in British Columbia: 

  1. Quantification of contact rates and patterns 
  1. The impact of provincial and federal public health measures and policies on contact rates and patterns 
  1. The impact of interpersonal contact patterns on transmission 
  1. The disparities of contact patterns based various social determinants  

Publications