Page 65 - FULL REPORT 30012024
P. 65
2.9.4 Comparative Approach of Tracking COVID-19 in Balkan
Countries Using Interactive Web-Based Dashboard
The paper describes the design and implementation of an online dashboard
called "COVID-19 Situation in Balkan countries" that supports data-driven
decision-making and joint coordination between health institutions and
government bodies in the Balkan countries facing new COVID-19 waves.
The dashboard is built using the Shiny R framework and provides real-time
tracking and visualization of national-level COVID-19 data from various
official sources.
The dashboard features several sections and functionalities. The first section
displays significant metrics such as daily new cases, daily fatalities, and total
fatalities since the pandemic outbreak for each Balkan country. The second
section allows for comparative analysis and spatial representation, including
time series charts comparing the COVID-19 situation over time, bar charts
for daily comparisons, and an interactive map showing key COVID-19
metrics for each country. The third section provides data filtering capabilities
through a searchable and filterable table.
The paper presents visualizations of the dashboard, showcasing the
comparison of daily new cases and fatalities among the Balkan countries, as
well as the interactive map feature. The dashboard is accessible online and is
updated automatically on a daily basis. It uses free and open-source tools such
as R, Shiny, and various R packages for data processing, analysis, and
visualization.
The authors highlight the importance of regional cooperation and data-driven
decision-making in controlling the spread of COVID-19 in the Balkan
countries. The dashboard aims to provide a user-friendly tool for health
agencies and governments to track and analyze the COVID-19 situation in
real-time, facilitating collaboration and policy updates. The authors also
emphasize the broader academic discussion on the benefits of open-source
tools and their application in medicine and health education.
48
