Methods of Data Analysis during the COVID-19 Pandemic in St. Louis County

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a vast shift in the way that disease surveillance, data collection, and analysis occurs. With a disease such as COVID-19 that occurs in waves with ever-changing variants, efficient real-time surveillance of trends must occur in order to implement policies to best prevent disease transmission. Additionally, with the large volume of data collected, issues of data cleaning, incomplete data, and delays in reporting must be overcome. This project has worked on tracking various aspects of the pandemic in St. Louis County throughout the past year, including case rates, vaccination rates, hospitalizations, and mortality. Results were summarized on a weekly and a cumulative basis, based on data received weekly from the DHSS. As vaccinations for more age groups and booster doses were approved, data analysis methods were updated to reflect the progress of these trends. Additionally, various methods of breakthrough infections (having COVID-19 after being fully vaccinated) were investigated, including breakthrough reinfections (having COVID-19 more than once) as well as boosted breakthrough infections. Vaccination data was also used to assess the susceptibility by age group of residents of St. Louis County to COVID-19, which has helped the local Department of Public Health target their intervention efforts. Additionally, disparities discovered in cases and vaccination rates by region of St. Louis County has allowed for a targeted community approach in public health outreach.

Nikita Kohli

Nikita Kohli is a senior from St. Louis, MO studying Biostatistics with minors in Biology and Engineering Mathematics. Her research interests are focused on disease surveillance and treatment development. Through the College of Public Health and Social Justice, she has worked with faculty and peers to track the COVID-19 pandemic in St. Louis County and applied statistical methods from her Biostatistics coursework. Through the Biology Department, she has also studied the Group B Streptococcus species through cell culture experiments with intentions of helping develop antibiotic treatments. After graduation, Nikita plans to attend SLU School of Medicine and hopes to integrate public health into her study of medicine.

Peter Gallagher

Peter Gallagher is a senior from Cleveland, OH studying Biostatistics with a minor in Biology whose research interests have been centered around metabolomics and public health interventions. Through his work with the University of Colorado School of Medicine and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, he studied changes in the urinary metabolome of children infected with pneumonia to guide the use of prescription medications. In conjunction with the St. Louis County Department of Public Health and College for Public Health and Social Justice, he has studied the uptake and distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine throughout St. Louis County to better target underserved populations. After graduation, Peter plans on pursuing a career in healthcare analytics in Cleveland, Ohio.

Will Drexler

Will Drexler is a senior from Nashville, TN double majoring in Biostatistics and Public Health with a minor in Information Technology Management. His research interests are focused on disease surveillance and vaccine hesitancy. Partnering with both the St. Louis County Department of Public Health and SLU’s College for Public Health and Social Justice, he has monitored the emerging trends in breakthrough and reinfection rates and conducted risk analyses between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. After graduation, Will plans to continue his education by pursuing an M.S. in Biostatistics at SLU.

The group would like to thank their faculty sponsor Dr. Lauren Arnold for their support of this project.

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