Four-week forecasts of COVID-19 epidemic trajectories in South Africa, Chile, Peru and Brazil : a model evaluation

Authors & affiliation

Wim Delva, Emanuel M. Dominic, Roxanne Beauclair, Rachid Ouifki, Matthys Kroon, Heinrich Volmink, Elton Dorkin

Abstract

ABSTRACTIntroductionFrom the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, epidemiological models have been used in a number of ways to aid governments and organizations in efficient planning of resources and decision making. These models have elucidated important epidemiological transmission parameters, in addition to making short-term projections.>Methods>We constructed a compartmental mathematical model for the transmission, detection and prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infections for regions where Anglo American has mining operations. We fitted the model to publicly available data and used it to make short-term projections. Finally, we evaluated how the model performed by comparing short-term projections to actual confirmed cases, retrospectively.>Findings<The average forecast errors for four-week-ahead projections ranged between 1% and 8% in all the countries and regions considered in this study. All but one region had more than 75% of the true values falling within the range of four-week-ahead projections. The quality of the projections improved with time as expected due to increased historical data.>Conclusion<Our model produced four-week forecasts with a sufficiently high level of accuracy to guide operational and strategic planning for business continuity and COVID-19 responses in Anglo American mining sites.

Publication date:

2021

Staff members:

Link to publication

Open link

Attachments

2021.09.06.21263151v1.full.pdf (open)

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