This plot of data from the Massachusetts HMO shows that the cluster identifed
is in eastern Massachusetts. The number of encounters, volume, observed as unusual as that which
was observed in the 3 digit zip code, 021, on 16 December 2002 would be
expected, according to our model, approximately once in every eight years (245 new cases).
This unusual volume of new cases persists for the next days. This persistence is
consistent with our expectation about the spread of infections and their
variable latency. Note that the plots show only new cases, so no individual appears
on more than one day.
These are preliminary data and analyses– subsequent analyses may change these conclusions.
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