In this special Brief we step back and look at various estimates of the projected death toll from the coronavirus. Would you like to learn more about the statistical analysis of disease? We’re offering a special self-paced course to those seeking to improve their knowledge of epidemiology: April 10 – June 10: Epidemiologic Statistics (self-paced)Continue reading “Apr 2: Statistics in Practice – Special Epi Course”
Tag Archives: covid-19
Coronavirus Death Toll
Mar 24: Statistics in Practice
In this week’s Brief, we look again at the statistics of Coronavirus. We also spotlight our Health Analytics Mastery – a 3-course series in which you can choose from among Biostatistics 1 and 2 Designing Valid Statistical Studies Epidemiologic Statistics * Introduction to Statistical Issues in Clinical Trials You can start July 1 with BiostatisticsContinue reading “Mar 24: Statistics in Practice”
Covid-19 Parameters
There are many moving parts in modeling the spread of an epidemic, a subject that has lately attracted the attention of great numbers of statistically-oriented non-epidemiologists (like me). I’ve put together a “lay statistician’s guide” to some of the important parameters and factors (and I welcome corrections/additions!). Terms Case fatality rate or CFR: Deaths asContinue reading “Covid-19 Parameters”
Preliminary Paper
Here is a preliminary paper that suggests that RNA extraction kits, one of the main bottlenecks to Covid-19 testing in the US, can be skipped altogether and the next part of the assay (RT-qPCR) still works. If confirmed, this result would have a major impact on how many tests state and hospital labs could runContinue reading “Preliminary Paper”
Standardized Death Rate
Often the death rate for a disease is fully known only for a group where the disease has been well studied. For example, the 3711 passengers on the Diamond Princess cruise ship are, to date, the most fully studied coronavirus population. All passengers were tested and tracked by health authorities, and the death rate wasContinue reading “Standardized Death Rate”
Coronavirus – in Search of the Elusive Denominator
Anyone with internet access these days has their eyes on two constellations of data – the spread of the coronavirus, and the resulting collapse of the financial markets. Following the 13% one-day drop of the stock market a week ago, The Wall Street Journal forecast a quarterly GDP drop of as much as 10% –Continue reading “Coronavirus – in Search of the Elusive Denominator”
Coronavirus: To Test or Not to Test
In recent years, under the influence of statisticians, the medical profession has dialed back on screening tests. With relatively rare conditions, widespread testing yields many false positives and doctor visits, whose collective cost can outweigh benefits. Coronavirus advice follows this line – testing is limited to the truly ill (this is also due to aContinue reading “Coronavirus: To Test or Not to Test”