Impact of Socio-Economic Vulnerability on the Force of Infection of Covid-19 in Jakarta

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between various aspects of socio-economic vulnerability and the magnitude of the Covid-19 force of infection in Jakarta using a spatial method. To analyse this relationship, the study uses a networked metapopulation epidemiological model employing village-level data on daily cases of Covid-19 during the period in which large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) were implemented in Jakarta. The results provide strong evidence that socio-economic vulnerability significantly affects the force of infection, with the direction of the effect differing depending on the aspect of socio-economic vulnerability under examination. Moreover, this study finds that socio-economic vulnerability has spillover effects on the force of infection in neighbouring subpopulations, albeit the magnitudes are not substantial.