ANALYSIS OF SPATIAL RELATIONSHIPS OF CONFIRMED COVID-19 CASES AND DEATHS FROM MARCH TO AUGUST 2020 IN THE STATE OF PERNAMBUCO, BRAZIL

Abstract

By modeling COVID-19 data, and drawing up thematic maps, it was possible to analyze spatiotemporal behavior patterns of the new coronavirus in Pernambuco. It is possible to identify: 01- The highest numbers of cases and deaths are related to the cities with the highest GDP per capita; 02- The spread of the disease follows the directions of the main network of federal highways; 03- The thematic maps of municipalities added to the numbers of cases and deaths have repercussions on the articulated and intense propagation of patterns in blocks of municipalities connected by highways in the timeline, as the cases of Serra Talhada, São José de Belmonte, Mirandiba, Salgueiro and Parnamirim; 04- Other municipalities such as Santa Maria da Boa Vista and Orocó are isolated with fewer cases, as well as Belém do São Francisco and Carnaubeira da Penha, small isolated blocks with fewer cases and deaths, similarly to Ibimirim and Custódia; Águas Belas and Serra Talhada are outside the propagation block, the “island-municipalities”, thus revealing a behavior of propagation of the disease, of isolated or articulated municipalities around and along federal road axes. BR-104 and 232 assume regional influence and state and local roads may have contributed to greater "capillarity" of the spread of COVID-19.