Spatial Heterogeneity and Pandemic Dynamics: Geospatial Insights from Kolkata During Post-Lockdown COVID-19 Spread and Management

This study explores the spatial and social dynamics of COVID-19 transmission within the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) area, focusing on the post-lockdown period. Using geographically weighted regression (GWR), the research identifies key hotspots and evaluates the effectiveness of public health interventions, such as containment zones. The study highlights significant spatial variations in the spread of COVID-19, with boroughs showing differing relationships between infection rates and socio-economic factors such as population density, slums, and healthcare access. Perception mapping reveals widespread dissatisfaction with healthcare services, including gaps in critical care and vaccination awareness. From a social physics perspective, the chapter underscores the role of human behavior, mobility patterns, and socio-economic conditions in disease propagation. By integrating spatial analysis with social dynamics, the research offers valuable insights for localized pandemic interventions, contributing to broader discussions on how social structures and interactions shape public health outcomes. The findings emphasize the need for data-driven, localized interventions to address regional disparities and improve pandemic management in densely populated urban areas.