The Role of GIS Mapping Program in Evaluating the Geographical Distribution of Patients with COVID-19 during the First Wave of the Epidemic in Babol

Abstract

Background and Objective: One of the first cities that announced the outbreak of COVID-19 in Iran was Babol, in the north of Iran. Geographic Information System (GIS) is an important tool in tracking and dealing with the spread of diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of the weekly GIS reports on the spread of the disease in controlling COVID-19. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted for two months, from the third week of the beginning of the epidemic till the end of the first wave of COVID-19. The geographic address of hospitalized patients was extracted and pinned on the map of Babol. Coding was done in the Python program (python 3.7.6) and the information was placed in an online map that can be enlarged and separated to show the alleys and houses. Moreover, the information was entered into the GIS software and the weekly output was obtained in HTML and PNG formats. The output results of the maps were used as the basis for follow-up in the deputy health department, and after the creation of operational teams, the follow-up of points with high prevalence was done on a weekly basis until the end of the first peak of the COVID-19 epidemics. Findings: The number of hospitalized patients in hospitals of Babol had an upward trend from the beginning of the disease until March 12, 2020. After that, according to the measures taken (including the preparation of patient distribution maps), at first a steady trend and after ten days, a downward trend was observed. A total of 174 pollution points were found in Babol city and Babol county, of which 60 pollution points were related to Babol city. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, the preparation of distribution maps of COVID-19 patients in Babol and targeted follow-ups helped to control the first peak of this outbreak within 10 days.