Spring 2020 COVID-19 community transmission behaviours around New York City medical facilities

Abstract

BACKGROUND Epidemiological studies have long been used to develop infection transmission prevention, but exact patterns of touch behaviours and transportation choices (COVID-19 community spread contributors) were previously unknown. AIM To investigate individual risk behaviour levels with respect to local COVID-19 infection levels. METHODS A longitudinal field study recorded behaviours of individuals leaving medical facilities following the New York State’s PAUSE order. A subset of that data was analyzed herein (4,793 records, 16 facilities, 23 rd March – 17 th May 2020). Touched objects and transportation choices were compared over time using chi-square tests (p < 0.05 significance threshold). FINDINGS Over eight weeks, touching progressively decreased but for-hire vehicle usage increased. In week 1, 60.4% of subjects touched at least one object: a building’s door handle (21.8%); traffic light, railing, or parking meter (5.6%); shared object (19.7%, e.g. vehicle’s door handle); personal object (13.9%, e.g. cell phone); or themselves (0.7%). Certain touch points, however, remained. Throughout the study, public transportation ridership remained steady (about 20%); for-hire car usage increased from 0% in week one to 7% in week eight, mirroring a 7% decrease in personal vehicle usage (from 34% to 27%). Touching and transportation patterns varied significantly by facility. CONCLUSIONS Inconsistent trends in risk related behaviour were documented in the eight weeks following a NYC PAUSE order. Namely, while overall touching decreased 25%, there was no appreciable change in cell phone usage, and for-hire vehicles usage increased 7%.

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