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How Did the COVID-19 Pandemic Affect Population Mobility in Taiwan?

Author

Listed:
  • Shih-Feng Liu

    (Department of Respiratory Therapy, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
    Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
    College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan)

  • Hui-Chuan Chang

    (Department of Respiratory Therapy, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan)

  • Jui-Fang Liu

    (Department of Respiratory Care, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Chiayi 600, Taiwan
    Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion Research Center, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Chiayi 600, Taiwan)

  • Ho-Chang Kuo

    (Department of Respiratory Therapy, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
    College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
    Department of Paediatrics and Kawasaki Disease Center, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan)

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) impairs the free movement of human beings. The study aims to determine how the COVID-19 pandemic affected population mobility. Methods: The study obtained Google COVID-19 population mobility report and e Taiwan COVID-19 pandemic information from Our World in Data. Results: During the Alpha wave, transit decreased the most, with an average difference of >50%, followed by parks, workplaces, groceries, and pharmacies. During the Omicron wave, the average population flow in parks and transit decreased by about 20%. During the pre-existing wave, the average population visits of transit decreased by 10% at the most, followed by parks and workplaces. The peak of daily new confirmed cases per million (7-day rolling average) was 25.02, 6.39, and 0.81 for Alpha, Omicron, and the pre-existing wave, respectively. Daily new confirmed cases per million people correlated with the change in population visits of various places (all p < 0.001). The reproduction rate (7-day rolling average) correlated with the change of population visits of most places, except retail and recreation. We conclude the Alpha variant affected more individuals than Omicron and pre-existing type. Furthermore, changes in population visits in transit were most impacted. This change was consistent with daily new confirmed cases per million people and reproduction rate (7-day rolling average). Conclusion: The Alpha variant affected more individuals than the Omicron and pre-existing types. Furthermore, changes in population visits in transit locations were most impacted. This change was consistent with the daily new number of confirmed cases per million people and the 7-day rolling average reproduction rate.

Suggested Citation

  • Shih-Feng Liu & Hui-Chuan Chang & Jui-Fang Liu & Ho-Chang Kuo, 2022. "How Did the COVID-19 Pandemic Affect Population Mobility in Taiwan?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-9, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:17:p:10559-:d:896596
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bocong Yuan & Hairong Zhao & Jiannan Li, 2022. "Health policy response to mobility during the pandemic: Evaluating the effectiveness using location‐based services big data," International Journal of Health Planning and Management, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 37(5), pages 2836-2851, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kate Hsu & Wei-Chin Tseng, 2022. "What Decides Your Athletic Career?—Reflection from Our Study of GP.Mur-Associated Sports Talents during the COVID-19 Pandemic Era," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-11, October.

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