Dynamics of COVID-19 spreading model with social media public health awareness diffusion over multiplex networks: Analysis and control

Social media plays a crucial role in controlling the epidemic spreading by creating awareness. Epidemic spreading processes over the multiplex network where epidemic spreading in one layer and awareness spreading in another layer, are well suitable to study the spreading of infection in a small region. Using the Microscopic Markov chain approach (MMCA), the dynamical interplay between the spreading of epidemics over the physical contact layer and human awareness diffusion over the virtual contact layer over a multiplex network framework is analyzed. SEIR process for epidemic spreading and UAU process for awareness diffusion are assumed to study the spreading process of COVID-19. The basic-reproduction number R0 is determined using the next generation matrix approach. The stability of disease-free equilibrium (DFE) and endemic equilibrium (EE) is analyzed. Using Pontryagins Minimum Principle, optimal parametric values are determined analytically for testing and cleaning the virus-contaminated surfaces. The impact of various parameters over the epidemic spread is analyzed numerically. Through numerical illustrations, the effect of early identification of exposed people and immediate cleaning of virus-contaminated surfaces over R0 studied. The sensitivity analysis is performed to show the importance of wearing face-mask, following social distancing, washing hands frequently and, avoiding unnecessary travel. Through numerical simulations, the results obtained coincide with real data of COVID-19 spreading in the city Chennai, India. The results obtained show that in order to control or discard the spreading of COVID-19, each people should follow the self-preventive measures without relaxation till the epidemic comes nearer to the disease free state.