Conceptualizing a Data Visualization Platform for Understanding a New Pandemic Outbreak

Abstract

The world was caught off guard when the Covid-19 pandemic struck, late 2019. It has spread from China, across to the other end of the world in just a few months. This is a concept paper to help the decision-makers in each country to make fast and good decisions in confronting the new wave of unprecedented events triggered by the virus, never seen before in the last few decades. An intelligent dashboard prototype is proposed to enable the authorities to access and study available data, using Big Data technology in a single platform, where they can pinpoint the source of specific issues instantly and choose the best decision for ongoing operation. This dashboard can also benefit the public by increasing the awareness of the ongoing situation and reflecting on major outbreaks over the past decades. Literature review on past pandemics and their outcomes will be used to identify suitable pandemic indicators in order to design and develop an intelligent dashboard prototype for current and future pandemic situations. Any key findings found in this research not only serve as a support for the current decision-making process in the COVID-19 outbreak but also as a preparation plan for decision-makers and experts to implement in the future if another health emergency is to arise.