Synthetic Reproduction and Augmentation of COVID-19 Case Reporting Data by Agent-Based Simulation. (27th April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Popper, Nikolas; Zechmeister, Melanie; Brunmeir, Dominik; Rippinger, Claire; Weibrecht, Nadine; Urach, Christoph; Bicher, Martin; Schneckenreither, Günter; Rauber, Andreas
• Is Part Of: Data science journal. Volume 20(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-04-27
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- synthetic data -- agent-based simulation -- data augmentation; Science -- Data processing -- Periodicals; Database management -- Periodicals; 502.85
• DOI: 10.5334/dsj-2021-016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1683-1470

Abstract

We generate synthetic data documenting COVID-19 cases in Austria by the means of an agent-based simulation model. The model simulates the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in a statistical replica of the population and reproduces typical patient pathways on an individual basis while simultaneously integrating historical data on the implementation and expiration of population-wide countermeasures. The resulting data semantically and statistically aligns with an official epidemiological case reporting data set and provides an easily accessible, consistent and augmented alternative. Our synthetic data set provides additional insight into the spread of the epidemic by synthesizing information that cannot be recorded in reality.