ABSTRACT
To model the trajectory of the pandemic in Kuwait from February 24, 2020 to February 28, 2021, the authors used two modeling procedures-auto regressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) with structural breaks and multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS)-and then mapped the key breakpoints of the models to the set of government-enforced interventions. The MARS model, as opposed to the ARIMA model, provides a more precise interpretation of the intervention's effects. It demonstrates that partial and total lockdown interventions were highly effective in reducing the number of confirmed cases. When some interventions, such as enforcing regional curfews, closing workplaces, and imposing travel restrictions, were combined, their impact became significant. MARS method is recommended when exploring the impact of interventions on the spread of a disease. It does not require any prior assumptions about the statistical distribution of data, does not affect data collinearity, has simple and transparent functions, and allows for a more accurate analysis of intervention results.
ABSTRACT
The Kingdom of Bahrain announced its first case of COVID-19 infection on February 24, 2020. Since that time, the government has imposed several restrictions such as closures, banning gatherings, and closing border crossings to limit the spread of the pandemic and relieve pressure on the healthcare system. This article provides an overview of the current trajectory of the pandemic in the Kingdom of Bahrain. In addition, the article introduces and applies a methodology to analyze the impact of the interventions and precautionary measures enforced by the government to limit the COVID-19 disease propagation. The results show that most of the enforced precautionary measures were effective in reducing the spread of the disease by a percentage ranging from 20.2% to 41.8%. A religious occasion in Bahrain—involving large gatherings—had increased the spread of the disease by 28.7%. Not enough evidence is found to conclude that reopening interventions had caused the disease to spread again. © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group on behalf of the University of Bahrain.