Spireon revealed an analysis of proprietary consumer driving data that signals a distinct relationship between increased driving that has occurred following stay-at-home orders and an increase in COVID-19 cases both at the state and national level. Specifically, Spireon data show that 10-14 days after spikes in driving activity, there are corresponding upticks in reported COVID-19 cases. This timeframe mirrors the incubation period of the virus. This data serves as another indication that surges in public mobility can lead to an escalation of viral infections.
“As the coronavirus pandemic is sweeping across the nation, claiming the lives of thousands of Americans and causing disruption across industries, analysis of Spireon data shows clearly that having more vehicles on the road has negative implication for the spread of the virus,” stresses Spireon CEO Kevin Weiss. “The correlation between more driving activity and new cases of the virus further substantiates the importance of social distancing. We want these findings to serve as an important public service announcement as we all strategize ways to reopen the economy safely.”
FROM THE DATA
Spireon gathered 8 billion data points nationwide, studying the driving activity of over 3 million vehicles starting March 1. The goal was to understand the relationship between spikes in driving and growth in the number of COVID-19 cases. Driving activity was measured against baseline reflecting average driving activity before COVID-19.
Spireon analyzed 1.1 million vehicles and 2.5 billion data points at the state level. The data show an increase in driving occurred following shelter-in-place orders in states such as California and Texas. Subsequently, approximately 10-14 days after the surge in driving, the number of reported COVID-19 cases also rose. The 10-14 day delay in infections matches the duration of the COVID-19 incubation period, as outlined by the World Health Organization. In Florida and Louisiana, spikes in driving during spring break yielded the same result. Nationwide, driving data reveal increased driving over Easter weekend, which is reflected through an increase of COVID-19 infections this week.
“As the largest aftermarket telematics supplier in the country, Spireon’s data analysis team has unique visibility to a large volume of commercial and consumer driving data,” says Prem Hareesh, senior vice president of software engineering at Spireon. “As COVID-19 has rapidly transformed American life, our team continues to analyze how state and federal order, major holidays, and more are causing spikes in driving that leads to increase in viral infections.”
INCREASED MOBILITY = INCREASE IN CASES
Spireon data also shows that reported COVID-19 cases dropped following a 40-50% downturn in driving activity in late March. These findings support public health guidelines enforced during the pandemic and illustrate the strong relationship between mobility and increased infections.
Find out more, visit www.spireon.com.