Abstract

This work explores Routh–Hurwitz stability and complex dynamics in models for awareness programs to mitigate the spread of epidemics. Here, the investigated models are the integer-order model for awareness programs and their corresponding fractional form. A non-negative solution is shown to exist inside the globally attracting set (GAS) of the fractional model. It is also shown that the diseasefree steady state is locally asymptotically stable (LAS) given that is less than one, where is the basic reproduction number. However, as , an endemic steady state is created whose stability analysis is studied according to the extended fractional Routh–Hurwitz scheme, as the order lies in the interval (0,2]. Furthermore, the proposed awareness program models are numerically simulated based on the predictor-corrector algorithm and some clinical data of the COVID-19 pandemic in KSA. Besides, the model’s basic reproduction number in KSA is calculated using the selected data . In conclusion, the findings indicate the effectiveness of fractional-order calculus to simulate, predict, and control the spread of epidemiological diseases.

1. Introduction

In late 2019, a severe respiratory syndrome, SARS-CoV-2, was detected in Wuhan, China, causing severe disease (COVID-19) [1]. Currently, COVID-19 has become a worldwide pandemic [2, 3]. Although some vaccines have already been announced, new mutant versions (such as COVID-19-VUI–2020/12/01) have recently been reported, which might have different features that reduce vaccines’ effectiveness and help increase transmissibility and death rates.

Several epidemiological models (EMs) are reported to discuss the spread of COVID-19 and to better forecast the predictions in different countries. For example, Ben Fredj and Chrif presented a model to discuss the disease infection in Tunisia [4]. In [5], Ivorra et al. studied the spread of COVID-19 in China. COVID-19 statistical projections for China and Italy were provided by Alberti and Faranda [6] and, based on the SEIR model, Annas et al. investigated COVID-19 in Indonesia [7]. Furthermore, qualitative and quantitative dynamics have been studied in some recent COVID-19 models. For example; Raza et al. proposed a model for coronavirus pandemic with a delay effect [8]. Abdul Razzaq et al. introduced an optimal control model to investigate the proficiency of each strategy in reducing the virulence of SARS-CoV-2 [9]. Chowdhury et al., proposed a mathematical model considering asymptomatic and symptomatic disease transmission processes in the COVID-19 outbreak so as to evaluate the effect of these transmissions on the virus [10]. Furthermore, Chowdhury et al. proposed another mathematical model to investigate the dynamics of viral load within the host by considering the role of T-cells and natural killer cells [11].

Fractional calculus has been shown to be an essential tool that has been used in different fields of science [1227]. A fractional differential operator is called a nonlocal operator if it involves integration. The recently appearing and commonly used nonlocal fractional differential operators are the so-called Caputo’s type [28] and Caputo–Fabrizio’s type [29]. The nonlocal fractional operators are classified due to their kernels. Therefore, fractional modeling has great importance for epidemiological mathematical models because of its accuracy in describing natural phenomena and the existence of memory effects that are useful to describe the dynamical behaviors of biological phenomena. Consequently, the nonlocal fractional differential operators provide vital tools to describe the complexity existing in natural phenomena, especially in biological models and EMs. Recently, EMs with fractional derivatives have been reported. For example, Iqbal et al. studied a fractional-order model of HIV/AIDS infection [30]. Dokuyucu and Dutta investigated the Ebola virus based on Caputo–Fabrizio operator [31]. El-Sayed et al. studied a fractional-order model of plant diseases based on the Caputo operator [32]. Ameen et al. presented the problem of fractional optimal control for the SIRV epidemic model based on the left Caputo fractional derivative [33]. Naik et al. showed chaotic behaviors in an HIV-1 model with fractional order [34]. In addition, Kumar et al. reported chaotic dynamics in a fractional-order model of tumor-immune [35]. Meanwhile, some fractional-order models describing COVID-19 epidemiological models have recently appeared. For example, Singh et al. investigated the dynamics of a fractional-order model of COVID-19 [36]. Higazy introduced a new SIDARTHE model for COVID-19 with fractional derivatives [37]. Dong et al. [38] performed optimal control for a granular SEIR model using COVID-19 data. Tuan et al. [39] discussed the transmission of COVID-19 using a fractional mathematical model involving Caputo’s type that contains a singular kernel. Zhang introduced new fractional-order models of COVID-19 involving singular and nonsingular kernels [40]. Yadav and Verma studied a fractional system of SARS-CoV-2 in the case of Wuhan [41].

Indeed, EMs are considered to be among the most important models in computational biology where susceptible and infected states are further investigated using analytical and/or numerical tools to study the spread of infectious diseases and provide awareness to people and health institutions. Additionally, the EMs are able to mimic the disease’s impact on a variety of factors and levels, such as humidity and temperature. Therefore, the models that describe the interaction between the susceptible, infected state variables and the variables of the awareness programs provide more effective awareness strategies to mitigate the spreading behaviors of infectious diseases or pandemics. This applies to SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, especially when vaccines are in early stages or will not soon be widely available. Recently, awareness models have been reported; For example, Sweilam et al. studied a mathematical model for awareness programs based on Atangana–Baleanu–Caputo (ABC) operators involving multiple time delays [42]. In [43], Misra et al. introduced a nonlinear dynamical system for the influence of awareness programs on the spread of infectious diseases such as flu. The aforementioned model is described by four coupled ordinary differential equations in which Misra et al. showed that awareness programs can be used to control the spread of an infectious disease, but the disease remains endemic according to immigration. Hence, this system is a candidate model to study the COVID-19 pandemic.

The advantages of the present study can be summarized as follows: complex dynamics, including quasiperiodic attractors, are explored in the integer-order awareness program model given by Misra et al. and its fractional-order version in the sense of the Caputo definition (as the fractional parameter lies above and below one). The suggested awareness models are shown to be applicable to some COVID-19 data collected from Saudi Arabia (KSA). So, the study of complex behaviors in such models enables governments to control and predict the development of epidemic diseases such as SARS-CoV-2, to give qualitative results, and to raise awareness of potentially critical situations in many nations with new variations.

Finally, to justify the main motivation of this work, we point out that the obtained results show that the fractional-order model is more suitable to handle such dynamics since the memory concept in the fractional counterpart erases oscillations in the curves of the model’s steady states; it also flattens such curves so that the system as a whole settles on an equilibrium point faster than it would with the classic integer-order form.

2. Fractional Calculus

The nonlocal operator with a singular kernel given by Caputo [44] is described aswhere and The notation refers to the Euler’s gamma and denotes The Laplace transform of the Caputo derivative given in the last equation is described by

Definition 1. The Mittag-Leffler function of the fractional parameter appearing in the Caputo definition of fractional derivative is defined by
Then, the following lemmas can be introduced:

Lemma 1 (see [45]). Let us assume that is a continuous and differentiable real-valued function. Hence, for any

Lemma 2 (see [46]). For example, let us take the following autonomous system:Also, let be a bounded closed set. Each solution that originates in the set remains in this set for every t. If with continuous first partial derivatives that fulfill the inequalities In addition, let and let us assume that is the largest invariant set of Then, every solution starts in approaches to as t tends to infinity. In particular, if then
Henceforth, LAS denotes the locally asymptotically stable steady state for brevity. The point of the linearized n-dimensional fractional-order system is LAS, provided thatgiven that [47] where is an eigenvalue of the system’s Jacobian matrix.

3. The Awareness Program Models

The integer-order awareness program model [43] is given here as follows:where the state variables refer to the susceptible population, infective population, and susceptible population with awareness and awareness programs’ cumulative density, respectively. The explanation of these parameters are given as follows:(i)a is the recruitment rate(ii)b refers to infection contact rate(iii)c represents the dissemination rate of awareness(iv)d represents the natural death rate(v) refers to the rate of recovery,(vi)f refers to a transfer rate of aware individuals to susceptible class,(vii)g represents awareness program implementation rate,(viii)h represents death rate according to infection,(ix)k denotes the program’s depletion rate according to social problems and ineffectiveness.

All the parameter values are assumed to be positive. It is also believed that the density of the awareness program increases at a pace that is proportionate to the number of infected people in the population.

In fact, inserting the operator into the awareness program model (6) allows us to better describe the natural phenomena, obtain more adequacy, and erase oscillations in the curves of the model’s steady states. Therefore, the resulting fractional model is a better choice to handle complex dynamics. Consequently, the fractional counterpart of the awareness program model (6) is given bywhere represents the fractional parameter satisfying . The systems (6) and (7) have the following equilibria: the diseasefree point and the endemic point . They are described aswhere

We define (basic reproduction number) for model (6) as follows (see ref. [43]):

Obviously, the endemic steady state appears only if

Remark 1. It is easy to check that if . Hence, , when .

Remark 2. We can easily check that if . Hence, ifTo discuss the existence of non-negative solutions inside a globally attracting set (GAS) of the awareness program model (7) with , one proves the following results:

Theorem 1. Suppose that a closed set where represents a state variable of the awareness programs model, and , then is a positively invariant set and is GAS for the fractional-order awareness programs model (5) with .

Proof. It is evident thatApplying the Laplace transform, the inequality (12) is reduced towhere represents the Mittag-Leffler function. So, is bounded. It is clear that as , hence the set of the awareness program model (7) is positive closed invariant. Now, since then for a solution of model (7) and , one getsThus, is GAS for the awareness program model (7) for all .

4. Local Stability

Here, conditions for the local stability of and are discussed. The Jacobian matrix of the awareness program models (6) and (7) are described as

Theorem 2. A diseasefree point of the awareness program models (4) and (5) is LAS when

Proof. The Jacobian matrix (11) computed at a diseasefree steady state has the eigenvalues
Clearly, satisfy conditions (5). Also, satisfies conditions (3), if
To discuss the case of the endemic point , let us assume that its eigenvalue equation has the following form:whereThen, we assign the notation to refer to the discriminant of the polynomial given in (16).
Obviously, the coefficients if , and the quantity The last inequality holds if and . So, according to Remarks 1 and 2, the following lemma is easily proved:

Lemma 3. The coefficients when the following inequalities holdThe conditions of local stability of is governed by the fractional Routh–Hurwitz (FRH) criterion given by Matouk [48, 49]:(i)We define the Routh–Hurwitz determinants as follows:If and , then the endemic steady state is LAS.(ii)If , and , then the endemic steady state does not achieve the stability inequalities (3).(iii)If , and the coefficients then the endemic steady state is LAS. Also, if and , then the endemic steady state does not achieve the stability inequalities (3).(iv)If the coefficients and then the endemic steady state is LAS. However, if and , then the conditions (3) are not satisfied by the endemic steady state.(v)If , then is an imperative condition for the endemic steady state to be LAS.Accordingly, the following lemma is easily proved:

Lemma 4. If the following inequalities holdthe endemic steady state of the fractional awareness programs model (7) exists and is LAS given that(i) and (ii) and (iii), and

Remark 3. (see [43]). For , then the endemic steady state is LAS if

5. Numerical Simulations in the Awareness Program Model

Numerical simulations are performed for the awareness program model (6) to produce four attractors with different topologies. The initial conditions are selected as , and The numerical simulations are based on four sets of parameter values. We define a parameter set as , then

The computations of the eigenvalues corresponding to the parameter mentioned in above sets are given by the following tables:

With the aid of Table 1, it is clear that the eigenvalue for all the abovementioned sets of parameters. So, the diseasefree point of system (6) is not stable using these selections of parameter values. Moreover, Table 2 shows that the endemic point is unstable when the parameters are selected according to sets A and B. Furthermore, the endemic point is LAS when the parameters are selected according to sets C and D.

In fact, quasiperiodic behaviors occur in 4D systems when at least two maximal Lyapunov exponents (LEs) are vanishing or very close to zero. It is observed that quasiperiodic attractors are obtained using the selections of parameter sets and The corresponding LEs are computed in Table 3 based on Wolf’s algorithm [50]. The attractors corresponding to the abovementioned parameter sets are also depicted in Figure 1, in which Figures 1(a) and 1(b) illustrate quasiperiodic attractors. To further discuss the existence of complex dynamics in system (6), we also show that the coexistence of multiattractors occurs using the selections of parameter sets and as depicted in Figure 2. The aforementioned figure shows unstable focus-node attractor (blue domain) coexists with a quasiperiodic attractor (red domain).

The spectrum of LEs related to parameter sets and with varying parameter is illustrated in Figure 3. Calculations of the bifurcation diagrams are also illustrated in Figure 4 where weak chaotic behaviors are shown in Figure 4(c).

6. Numerical Simulations in the Awareness Programs Model (7)

The fractional-order model (7) is also numerically integrated using the predictor-corrector algorithm [51, 52] with the parameter sets and initial conditions mentioned above. According to Table 1 and conditions (5), the diseasefree point of the fractional-order model (7) is not LAS. In addition, according to Table 2 and conditions (5), the endemic point is LAS when the parameters are selected according to the sets C and D. However, based on Table 2, the endemic point is not LAS if

Quasiperiodic attractors are found using the parameter set with fractional parameter and the parameter set with fractional parameter The obtained attractors corresponding to the numerical integration of the awareness programs model (7) with the sets , and are illustrated in Figure 5 in which quasiperiodic attractors are given by Figures 5(a) and 5(b). Moreover, computations of the LEs’ spectrum of the fractional-order model (7) is carried out using the efficient algorithm by Danca and Kuznetsov [53]. The results are shown in Figures 6 and 7. Computations of the corresponding bifurcation diagrams are given in Figure 8. Furthermore, computations of the LEs of the fractional model, based on the algorithm by Danca and Kuznetsov, is described by Table 4.

Complex dynamics in the awareness programs model (7) are also obtained when becomes greater than one. In Figures 911, the complex dynamics in the fractional awareness system (7) are depicted with the orders , and using different sets of initial states.

7. Discussion and Conclusion

This section examines some COVID-19 data obtained for KSA [5456] and collected over the period from March 18 to August 15, 2020. The initial value of the total population is which is divided into three classes Also, confirmed cases are recovered cases are , and the number of deaths due to infection is In addition, the natural death rate in KSA is approximately 3.5 per 1000 people. Based on the model’s assumptions and the collected data of COVID-19, the following selection of parameter values is tested via numerical simulations Basic reproduction ratio is also computed as follows:

So, the point is not LAS. However, the endemic steady state is LAS since all the eigenvalues satisfy the conditions (5). Moreover, the discriminant of the eigenvalue equation of the endemic point is calculated as , which implies that the endemic state has two complex conjugate eigenvalues. Obviously, the first statement of the FRH stability condition (iii) is also satisfied when The simulation results illustrate that the model (5) approaches the endemic steady state quicker than its integer-order form (see Figure 12). Here, the memory effect in the fractional-order model erases the oscillations in its integer-order counterpart after a few times, which makes the fractional awareness program model as a whole settle on the endemic point quicker than it would with the integer-order version. Therefore, the fractional system (5) is more suitable for investigating the awareness program model dynamics using the abovementioned data of COVID-19.

On the other hand, the higher degrees of freedom existing in the fractional model of awareness programs can be treated as controllers to stabilize its state variables to the targeted endemic steady state. Besides, the fractional parameters are flattening the curves in Figure 12, which can be used as a good public health strategy to mitigate or slow down the spread of COVID-19. Hence, the fractional models achieve more adequacy in estimating the control measures that affect the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in KSA. Indeed, KSA presented awareness programs like issuing guidelines in different languages to raise people’s awareness about necessary precautions against COVID-19 [57]. The guidelines include basic information about COVID-19 like symptoms, methods of transmission, and how to prevent it through providing full details on methods of using protective equipment on individuals (such as the proper way to wear the mask, globes, overall gown, and wash hands), tips for traveling, the procedure of self-isolation in-home and quarantine, and medical treatment upon the appearance of respiratory symptoms. These programs were prepared by MOH in KSA and were broadcasted in different ways, like TV, newspapers, official websites, and street banners. The reported guidelines show positive results in controlling the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in KSA.

In conclusion, the existence of a nonlocal fractional operator makes a fractional version of the awareness program model a better choice to predict, control, and handle its rich variety of complex dynamics and obtain better adequacy than the integer version. The resulting higher degrees of freedom in the fractional version also play an important role in displaying a rich variety of complex dynamics.

Data Availability

The numerical data used to support the findings of this study are included in the article.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that that there are no conflicts of interest with this study. There are no non-financial competing interests (political, personal, religious, ideological, academic, intellectual, commercial, or any other) to declare in relation to this manuscript.

Authors’ Contributions

Matouk directed the study and helped with the inspection. All the authors carried out the main results of this article, drafted the manuscript, and read and approved the final manuscript.

Acknowledgments

This research has been funded by the Scientific Research Deanship at University of Ha’il - Saudi Arabia through project number RG-21 011.