scholarly journals Sequential Data Assimilation of the Stochastic SEIR Epidemic Model for Regional COVID-19 Dynamics

2020 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralf Engbert ◽  
Maximilian M. Rabe ◽  
Reinhold Kliegl ◽  
Sebastian Reich

AbstractNewly emerging pandemics like COVID-19 call for predictive models to implement precisely tuned responses to limit their deep impact on society. Standard epidemic models provide a theoretically well-founded dynamical description of disease incidence. For COVID-19 with infectiousness peaking before and at symptom onset, the SEIR model explains the hidden build-up of exposed individuals which creates challenges for containment strategies. However, spatial heterogeneity raises questions about the adequacy of modeling epidemic outbreaks on the level of a whole country. Here, we show that by applying sequential data assimilation to the stochastic SEIR epidemic model, we can capture the dynamic behavior of outbreaks on a regional level. Regional modeling, with relatively low numbers of infected and demographic noise, accounts for both spatial heterogeneity and stochasticity. Based on adapted models, short-term predictions can be achieved. Thus, with the help of these sequential data assimilation methods, more realistic epidemic models are within reach.

Author(s):  
Ralf Engbert ◽  
Maximilian M. Rabe ◽  
Reinhold Kliegl ◽  
Sebastian Reich

AbstractNewly emerging pandemics like COVID-19 call for predictive models to implement precisely tuned responses to limit their deep impact on society. Standard epidemic models provide a theoretically well-founded dynamical description of disease incidence. For COVID-19 with infectiousness peaking before and at symptom onset, the SEIR model explains the hidden build-up of exposed individuals which creates challenges for containment strategies. However, spatial heterogeneity raises questions about the adequacy of modeling epidemic outbreaks on the level of a whole country. Here, we show that by applying sequential data assimilation to the stochastic SEIR epidemic model, we can capture the dynamic behavior of outbreaks on a regional level. Regional modeling, with relatively low numbers of infected and demographic noise, accounts for both spatial heterogeneity and stochasticity. Based on adapted models, short-term predictions can be achieved. Thus, with the help of these sequential data assimilation methods, more realistic epidemic models are within reach.


2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (12) ◽  
pp. 3619-3626 ◽  
Author(s):  
ALBERTO CARRASSI ◽  
STÉPHANE VANNITSEM

In this paper, a method to account for model error due to unresolved scales in sequential data assimilation, is proposed. An equation for the model error covariance required in the extended Kalman filter update is derived along with an approximation suitable for application with large scale dynamics typical in environmental modeling. This approach is tested in the context of a low order chaotic dynamical system. The results show that the filter skill is significantly improved by implementing the proposed scheme for the treatment of the unresolved scales.


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