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Articles | Volume XLVI-4/W6-2021
https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLVI-4-W6-2021-85-2021
https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLVI-4-W6-2021-85-2021
18 Nov 2021
 | 18 Nov 2021

SCHOOL RE-OPENING SIMULATIONS WITH COVID-19 AGENT-BASED MODEL FOR QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES

J. J. Celeste and V. P. Bongolan

Keywords: COVID-19, School Re-Opening, Vaccination, SEIR, Agent-based Model, Social Contact Probabilities, Quezon City, Philippines

Abstract. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted schools to close in 2020, and with its negative impact on the quality of learning, the conversation shifts to the re-opening scenarios. In this study, we coupled a COVID-19 agent-based model (ABM) with social contact probabilities from pre-pandemic estimates. We then simulated school re-opening and vaccination scenarios in Quezon City, Philippines using our ABM. Our toy simulations suggest that the city could already re-open schools with 50% vaccination coverage. However, we suggest that students shall be vaccinated first, mask-wearing and physical distance shall be strictly observed, and schools shall only be re-opened by 25% as a precaution. Policymakers may take insights from the study.