Skip to contents

Select a likelihood function for severity estimation

Source: R/estimate_severity.R
dot-select_func_likelihood.Rd

Switches between Binomial, Poisson, and Normal approximation based on the total number of cases and an initial estimate of the severity.

Usage

.select_func_likelihood(total_cases, poisson_threshold, p_mid)

Arguments

total_cases

A single count for the total number of cases in the outbreak.

poisson_threshold

A single count for the threshold of cases above which a Poisson or Normal approximation is returned.

p_mid

A single positive number bounded 0 – 1, representing an initial estimate of the severity, which is used to determine whether a Poisson or Normal approximation is returned. determine whether

Value

A function with three arguments, total_outcomes, total_deaths, and pp, which is used to generate the profile likelihood. Also prints messages to the screen when a Poisson or Normal approximation function is returned.

Details

Returns a likelihood function as follows:

  • Binomial approximation: when total_cases < poisson_threshold, used when there are few cases, such as in a small outbreak;

  • Poisson approximation: when total_cases >= poisson_threshold but when p_mid < 0.05;