BACKGROUND
Rapid spread of SARS nCoV-2 virus in Caribbean region has prompted heightened surveillance with more than 350,000 COVID-19 confirmed cases in 13 Caribbean countries namely Antigua and Barbados, Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of our study is to analyze the impact of coronavirus (SARS nCoV-2) in 13 Caribbean countries in terms of confirmed cases, number of deaths and recovered cases. Current and projected forecasts using advanced autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models will enable local health organisations to plan future courses of action in terms of lockdown and managing essential public services.
METHODS
The study uses the auto regressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model based upon time series pattern as per data retrieved from John Hopkins University, freely accessible on public domain and used for research and academic purposes. The data was analyzed using STATA 14 SE software between the time period - Jan 22, 2020 till May 27, 2020 using ARIMA time series analysis. It involves generalizing an autoregressive moving average model to better understand the data and predict future points in the time series until June 15, 2020.
RESULTS
The results show the predicted trend in terms of COVID-19 confirmed, mortality and recovered cases for 13 Caribbean countries. The projected ARIMA model forecast for the time period - May 25, 2020 to May 31, 2020 show 20278 (95% CI 19433.21 - 21123.08) confirmed cases, 631 (95% CI 615.90 - 646.51) deaths and 11501 (95% CI 10912.45 - 12089) recovered cases related to SARS nCoV-2 virus. The final ARIMA model chosen for confirmed COVID-19 cases, number of deaths and recovered cases are ARIMA (4,2,2), ARIMA (2,1,2) and ARIMA (4,1,2) respectively. All chosen models were compared with other models in terms of various factors like AIC/BIC (Akaike Information Criterion/Bayesian Information Criterion), log likelihood, p-value significance, coefficient < 1 and 5% significance. The autocorrelation function (ACF) and partial autocorrelation function (PACF) graphs were plotted to reduce bias and select the best fitting model.
CONCLUSIONS
As per the results of the forecasted COVID-19 models, there is a steady rise in terms of confirmed, recovered and mortality cases during the time period March 1, 2020 until May 27, 2020. It shows an increasing trend for confirmed and recovered COVID-19 cases and slowing of the number of mortality cases over a period of time. The predicted model will help the local health administration to devise public policies in terms of awareness measures, lockdown and essential health services accordingly.