Weighted Geocoding Method Based on Chinese Word Segmentation and Its Application to Spatial Positioning of COVID-19 Epidemic Prevention and Control

Locating the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)cases in the accurate place is important in epidemic prevention and control. Geocoding is an effective method to achieve information space positioning with address description. The English based geocoding methodology is not suitable for Chinese address. Composition and positioning methods of Chinese address are discussed. According to the characteristics of high complexity and diversity of Chinese address, a Chinese word segmentation weighted address matching algorithm considering a variety of semantics is designed, including the same pronunciation but different Chinese word address, abbreviation and alias of Chinese address, different description of the same address. And the matching accuracy and efficiency of the algorithm are tested by using the COVID-19 cases' addresses in Wuhan. The result indicates the algorithm is efficient, accurate, and intelligent, which can realize the efficient location of the COVID-19 cases address, and provide accurate spatial location information for epidemic prevention and control by quickly positioning of the COVID-19 cases.