Simplicial temporal networks from Wi-Fi data in a University Campus: the effects of restrictions on epidemic spreading

Abstract

Wireless networks are commonly used in public spaces, universities and public institutions and provide accurate and easily accessible information to monitor the mobility and behavior of users. Following the application of containment measures during the recent pandemic, we analyse extensive data from the WiFi network in a University Campus in Italy during three periods, corresponding to partial lockdown, partial opening, and almost complete opening. We measure the probability distributions of groups and link activation at Wi-Fi Access Points, investigating how different areas are used in the presence of restrictions. We rank the hotspots and the area they cover according to their crowding and to the probability of link formation, which is the relevant variable in determining potential outbreaks. We consider a recently proposed epidemic model on simplicial temporal networks and we use the measured distributions to infer the change in the reproduction number in the three phases. Our data show that additional measures are necessary to limit the epidemic spreading in the total opening phase, due to the dramatic increase in the number of contacts.