A fractional-order mathematical model for analyzing the pandemic trend of COVID-19

Math Methods Appl Sci. 2022 May 30;45(8):4625-4642. doi: 10.1002/mma.8057. Epub 2021 Dec 29.

Abstract

Many countries worldwide have been affected by the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) that was first reported in China. To understand and forecast the transmission dynamics of this disease, fractional-order derivative-based modeling can be beneficial. We propose in this paper a fractional-order mathematical model to examine the COVID-19 disease outbreak. This model outlines the multiple mechanisms of transmission within the dynamics of infection. The basic reproduction number and the equilibrium points are calculated from the model to assess the transmissibility of the COVID-19. Sensitivity analysis is discussed to explain the significance of the epidemic parameters. The existence and uniqueness of the solution to the proposed model have been proven using the fixed-point theorem and by helping the Arzela-Ascoli theorem. Using the predictor-corrector algorithm, we approximated the solution of the proposed model. The results obtained are represented by using figures that illustrate the behavior of the predicted model classes. Finally, the study of the stability of the numerical method is carried out using some results and primary lemmas.

Keywords: COVID‐19; basic reproduction number; equilibrium point; fractional‐order derivative; predictor–corrector algorithm.