Lessons from the Pandemic: Usefulness of datathons and open databases in the analysis of COVID-19 (#438)

Authors

Reynoso García, Jelissa

Fernández, Ariel Leonardo

Ordóñez, Patricia

Villanueva, Cleva

Abstract

The Latam COVID Datathon 2021 gave rise to the present study. Using data from open databases, it was foound that in Chile confirmed deaths from COVID-19 were concentrated in the regions with greater access to Hospitals, the opposite of what was found to be happening in other countries in the region. The objective of this research was to determine the relationship between the distribution of hospitals and the mortality from COVID -19 in Chile. An analysis by region of the percentage of mortality in confirmed cases between March 2020 and August 2021, using the open database of the Chilean Ministry of Health, was carried out. Using geolocation, an analysis of the distribution of health facilities, confirmed cases, and the death was performed. A positive correlation (p=0.02) was observed between the mortality and number of hospitals. It is known that in large cities there are factors such as the segregation of vulnerable groups and environmental pollution that determines the highest mortality of infectious-contagious diseases. However, on the basis of the analyzed data, it was not possible to find regional information that could aid in the interpretation of the results. The datathon brought to light the global need for data that is open, complete, regularly updated, to make it possible to analyze the variables that determine the causes and prevent the consequences of natural disasters or pandemics such as COVID-19. In the future, such access would help to reduce analysis biases and that permit governments to act promptly in the most vulnerable places, thus reducing mortality and economic consequences of such events.