CSU Math Whizzes Seek to UnCOVER the Pandemic Situations in Caraga Region

Mathematics researchers of the university put their minds together to uncover the challenging situations associated with the COVID-19 distribution in Caraga Region; dubbed as UnCOVER Caraga 2020 Program. The research program is funded by the DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), which commenced on November 2020.

As the world is battling to look for remedy for the disease and attending to the immediate needs of people during this health crisis, understanding the disease itself and the dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic in all aspects of human’s well-being is essential.

The Mathematics researchers develop models to understand the COVID-19 pandemic situation in Caraga Region by assessing the resiliency of the region to flu and other flu-related diseases, as well as giving assessment to the psychological, social, economic, and institutional capacity of the region to address COVID-19 impacts.

The research aims to determine the surge capacity of health institutions in the region by developing epidemiological models for prediction and estimation. The Program is comprised of four (4) projects: Project 1: Multidimensional Measure of Caraga’s Resilience to Flu-outbreaks Project 2: Epidemiological Model Development Surge Capacity on Health System during COVID-19 Pandemic; Project 3: Psychosocial Assessment of Institutional and Community Response to COVID-19 Pandemic in Caraga Region; and Project 4: Socio-economic Impact Evaluation of the Implementation of Community Quarantine due to COVID-19 Pandemic.

Through the research program, priority areas and concerns will be determined to serve as basis for policymakers and other stakeholders in coming up with evidence-based actions and programs. This will be used in action planning for the welfare of the community and frontliners in the region, and contribute scientific knowledge about the clinical nature of the pandemic.

Researchers from the Mathematical and Statistical Computing and Research Center (MSCRC) and Caraga Center for Peace and Development (CCPD) constitute the various projects to uncover the COVID-19 pandemic situations in Caraga Region. Ms. Karen B. Burdeos, the MSCRC Director, leads the team. OVPRIE/pico