GIS-Based Analysis of COVID-19 Cases in India during Pre-lockdown, Lockdown and Unlock Phases

Shankar, Hari; Champati Ray, P.K.

OBJECTIVE: World Health Organization formally announced COVID-19 global pandemic on March 11, 2020 due to its widespread infection. In this study, COVID-19 cases in India are critically analysed during pre-lockdown (PLD), lock-down (LD) and un-lock (UL) phases. METHOD: Analysis was done using geospatial technology at district, state and country level, and also compared with other most infected countries in the world. As. India observed third most affected country in the word after USA, and Brazil during UL2.0-UL3.0, second most after USA during UL4.0-UL5.0, and top most among SAARC countries from PLD-UL5.0. RESULTS: Trend of COVID-19 cases is link with population density and tends to record higher numbers in the eastern, southern, and west-central parts of the country Date rate in India was lower than that of global average throughout pandemic period. Kerala reported maximum infections during PLD while Maharashtra was on top in reporting highest number of infections during all LD and UL phases. Eighty percent contribution in India was concentrated at less but high populous districts. CONCLUSION: Top 25 districts alone contributed 70.99%, 69.38%, 54.87%, 44.23%, 40.48%, and 38.96% infections in the starting of UL1.0, and at the end of UL phases respectively, while top 26-50 districts contributed 6.38%, 6.76%, 11.23%, 12.98%, 13.40%, and 13.61% respectively, which indicates spread of COVID-19 cases during UL period. As of October 31, 2020, Delhi figured highest number of infections followed by Bengaluru Urban, Pune, Mumbai, Thane, and Chennai. There is no decline in infection rate even in UL5.0 which creates a very alarming situation in the country.