Relating Egress Observations from Health Care Facilities During the Initial COVID-19 Outbreak to Demographics, Weather, and Census Data

Egress behaviors, including PPE usage, route taken, primary and secondary destinations upon leaving the healthcare facility, and qualitative behavioral observations, were recorded at healthcare facilities throughout NYC during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. 16 students spent a combined 1,500 hours in the field collecting 5,065 unique records around 19 hospitals in 4 of the 5 NYC boroughs. These records were georeferenced using Google MyMaps and GIS software (QGIS and ArcGIS) to provide location data corresponding to these recorded observations. By comparing this dataset to communities with similar demographics and census records, predictions can be made on social behaviors around healthcare facilities during other spikes of COVID-19 variants and pandemics of similar transmissibility and severity. By analyzing the most common touch points or vector surfaces (ex. Door handle, cell phone) and initial destinations (subway, nearby food vendors), public health programs can be informed to help mitigate spread.