Document Type

Capstone Experience

Graduation Date

5-2021

Degree Name

Master of Public Health

Department

Biostatistics

First Committee Member

Lynette Smith

Second Committee Member

Christopher Wichman

Third Committee Member

Aaron Yoder

Abstract

The goal of this project was to illustrate the spread of COVID-19 tests, cases, and deaths within the state of Nebraska and identify non-random clusters using a spatial-temporal model. This project is pertinent and innovative, as few spatial-temporal models in the United States revolving around COVID-19 offer information at the county, let alone, the state level. De-identified data was extracted from the State of Nebraska’s Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 dashboard, transformed and prepared for analysis using SAS coding language. Clusters were identified though SaTScan software using a space-time permutation model. The model identified 5 different clusters related to cases and deaths, as well as 3 clusters linked to tests. The majority of the identified clusters could be explained by outbreaks in Nebraska meat-packing communities or long-term care facilities. This project offers insight on how COVID-19 impacted Nebraska communities and explains how the pandemic evolved throughout 2020.

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