Nonparametric estimation of highest density regions for COVID-19

Highest density regions refer to level sets containing points of relatively high density. Their estimation from a random sample, generated from the underlying density, allows to determine the clusters of the corresponding distribution. This task can be accomplished considering different nonparametric perspectives. From a practical point of view, reconstructing highest density regions can be interpreted as a way of determining hot-spots, a crucial task for understanding COVID-19 space-time evolution. In this work, we compare the behaviour of classical plug-in methods and a recently proposed hybrid algorithm for highest density regions estimation through an extensive simulation study. Both methodologies are applied to analyse a real data set about COVID-19 cases in the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Nonparametric Statistics is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)