Equation-Based Modeling vs. Agent-Based Modeling with Applications to the Spread of COVID-19 Outbreak

Abstract

In this paper, we explore two modeling approaches to understanding the dynamics of infectious diseases in the population: equation-based modeling (EBM) and agent-based modeling (ABM). To achieve this, a comparative study of these approaches was conducted and we highlighted their advantages and disadvantages. Two case studies on the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic were carried out using both approaches. The results obtained show that differential equation-based models are faster but still simplistic, while agent-based models require more machine capabilities but are more realistic and very close to biology. Based on these outputs, it seems that the coupling of both approaches could be an interesting compromise.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• basic reproduction number
• virus spread
• modeling simulation
• agent-based modeling
• equation-based modeling