Transmission dynamics and control methodology of COVID-19: A modeling study

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has grown up to be a pandemic within a short span of time. To investigate transmission dynamics and then determine control methodology, we took epidemic in Wuhan as a study case. Unfortunately, to our best knowledge, the existing models are based on the common assumption that the total population follows a homogeneous spatial distribution, which is not the case for the prevalence occurred both in the community and in hospital due to the difference in the contact rate. To solve this problem, we propose a novel epidemic model called SEIR-HC, which is a model with two different social circles (i.e., individuals in hospital and community). Using the model alongside the exclusive optimization algorithm, the spread process of COVID-19 epidemic in Wuhan city is reproduced and then the propagation characteristics and unknown data are estimated. The basic reproduction number of COVID-19 is estimated to be 7.9, which is far higher than that of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Furthermore, the control measures implemented in Wuhan are assessed and the control methodology of COVID-19 is discussed to provide guidance for limiting the epidemic spread. (C) 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study compared the transmission characteristics of COVID-19 and SARS, proposed a novel epidemic model SEIR-HC, analyzed the spread of the epidemic in Wuhan city using an optimization algorithm, estimated the basic reproduction number of COVID-19 to be 7.9, and discussed control measures and methodology for limiting the epidemic spread.