Abstract:Although COVID-19 has been spreading throughout Belgium since February, 2020, its spatial dynamics in Belgium remain poorly understood, due to the limited testing of suspected cases. We analyse data of COVID-19 symptoms, as self-reported in a weekly online survey, which is open to all Belgian citizens. We predict symptoms' incidence using binomial models for spatially discrete data, and we introduce these as a covariate in the spatial analysis of COVID-19 incidence, as reported by the Belgian government during… Show more
“…This is an notable outcome because the youth are predominantly more mobile, asymptomatic and perhaps also more carefree, considering the earlier reports that they were least affected by the virus [35]. The youth has been observed to be the slowest to adherence to social distancing measures [36]. Eswatini has a predominantly young population, 37% of which is within the ages of 15-40 years [37].…”
“…This is an notable outcome because the youth are predominantly more mobile, asymptomatic and perhaps also more carefree, considering the earlier reports that they were least affected by the virus [35]. The youth has been observed to be the slowest to adherence to social distancing measures [36]. Eswatini has a predominantly young population, 37% of which is within the ages of 15-40 years [37].…”
“…At the same time, it can be a component of an early warning system (Section 3.2) if the occurrence of symptoms is queried. One such example is the “Big Corona Study” (see also [ 93 ]), an online survey that can be filled in by all members of the public on every Tuesday since March 17, 2020; from June 2, 2020 onwards, the survey shifted to a bi-weekly frequency. It collects data about public adherence to measures taken by the government, contact behavior, mental and socio-economic distress, and spatio-temporal dynamics of COVID-19 symptoms' incidences.…”
Section: Prevalence Determination and Other Surveysmentioning
confidence: 99%
“… Fig. 1 Predicted probabilities for a citizen to experience at least one key COVID-19 symptom per municipality, based on extensions of a shared latent process model that corrects for preferential sampling [ 93 ] . …”
Section: Prevalence Determination and Other Surveysmentioning
Starting from historic reflections, the current SARS-CoV-2 induced COVID-19 pandemic is examined from various perspectives, in terms of what it implies for the implementation of non-pharmaceutical interventions, the modeling and monitoring of the epidemic, the development of early-warning systems, the study of mortality, prevalence estimation, diagnostic and serological testing, vaccine development, and ultimately clinical trials. Emphasis is placed on how the pandemic had led to unprecedented speed in methodological and clinical development, the pitfalls thereof, but also the opportunities that it engenders for national and international collaboration, and how it has simplified and sped up procedures. We also study the impact of the pandemic on clinical trials in other indications. We note that it has placed biostatistics, epidemiology, virology, infectiology, and vaccinology, and related fields in the spotlight in an unprecedented way, implying great opportunities, but also the need to communicate effectively, often amidst controversy.
“…A growing body of international research shows a global decrease in mental wellbeing and an increase in psychopathology at the population level and an increased risk for especially adolescents and college students (e.g., Naser et al, 2020 ; Varga et al, 2021 ). For example, in Belgium, rates for severe psychopathology increased from 1.5% at the beginning of the first lockdown in March 2020 to 6% 3 months later ( Neyens et al, 2020 ).…”
Section: Introductionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Several national and international studies have also highlighted an increase in psychological distress since the COVID-19 outbreak, especially in student populations (e.g., Naser et al, 2020 ; Neyens et al, 2020 ; Mack et al, 2021 ). Symptoms of anxiety and depression are most visible in 18–25-year-old ( Vijfde COVID-19-gezondheidsenquête, 2020 ; Mack et al, 2021 ).…”
University students are at elevated risk for psychological distress, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to warmly contact our students and investigate the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the subjective wellbeing (SWB) and levels of psychological symptoms (such as depressive and anxious feelings) of university students in Belgium. All bachelor and master students of the Vrije Universiteit Brussels (N = 15,475) were invited for a brief structured telephone interview in March, 2021. In total, 7,154 students were assessed by a structured interview, based on the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) and the Anamnestic Comparative Self-Assessment (ACSA). Compared to a representative sample, students considered their life during the pandemic as less satisfying compared to their life before the pandemic. Overall, all students have suffered from COVID-19 and the measures taken to contain the pandemic. Twenty percent of our sample of 7,154 VUB students scored above the K6 cutoff, indicating a heightened risk for having a diagnosable mental illness severe enough to cause functional limitations and to require treatment. This study highlights the need for psychological support for all students, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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