ABSTRACT
This paper shows the impact of control measures on the predictive COVID-19 mathematical model in Rwanda through sensitivity analysis of the basic reproduction number R 0 . We have introduced different levels of the control measures in the model, precisely, 90%, 80%, 60%, 40%, 20%, 0% and studied their effects on the variation of the model variables. The results from numerical simulations reveal that the more the adherence to the control measures at the percentage of 90%, 80%, 60%, 40%, 20%, 0%, the more the number of COVID-19 cases, hospitalized and deaths reduces which indicates the reduction of the spread of the pandemic in Rwanda. Moreover, It was shown that the transition rate from the infectious compartment is very sensitive to R 0 as the increase/decrease in its value increases/decreases the value of R 0 and this leads to the high spread or the containment of the pandemic respectively.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: Mathematical modelling is of interest to study the dynamics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and models such as SEIR (Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Recovered) have been considered. This article describes the development of a compartmental transmission network model - Susceptible-Exposed-Quarantine-Infectious-Infectious, undetected-Infectious, home-based care-Hospitalized-Vaccinated-Recovered-Dead - to simulate the dynamics of COVID-19 in order to account for specific measures put into place by the Government of Rwanda to prevent further spread of the disease. Methods: The compartments of this model are connected by parameters, some of which are known from the literature, and others are estimated from available data using the least squares method. For the stability of the model, equilibrium points were determined and the basic reproduction number R 0 was studied; R 0 is an indicator for contagiousness. Results: The model showed that secondary infections are generated from the exposed group, the asymptomatic group, the infected (symptomatic) group, the infected (undetected) group, the infected (home-based care) group and the hospitalized group. The formulated model was reliable and fit the data. Furthermore, the estimated R 0 of 2.16 shows that COVID-19 will persist without the application of control measures. Conclusions: This article presents results regarding predicted spread of COVID-19 in Rwanda.
ABSTRACT
COVID-19 pandemic has affected educational systems throughout the globe, which has resulted in the total shutdown of learning institutions. Particularly in Uganda, the education sector shutdown has had an impact not only on students and parents but as well, on instructors in these institutions. This has called for an increase in the intensity of integrating online tools and resources in teaching and learning mathematics in teacher training institutions in Uganda an inevitable transition. This paper presents research that focused on 45 mathematics lecturers' experiences in using digital platforms in instruction in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. The research was conducted in three secondary school teacher training institutions in Western Uganda. To ensure the scientific validity of the study, SPSS edition 23 was used to examine the tool for coherence, and it produced a reliability coefficient of 0.786. To obtain the descriptive statistic, data was also analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. The outcomes demonstrate the participants' experiences with the problems and benefits of utilizing digital platforms. According to the findings of this study, before integrating digital platforms in mathematics instruction, both lecturers and students should be allowed to learn and interact jointly via digital platforms. It was also recommended that virtual libraries and online databases should be made publicly available at any time and free of charge, offering an additional level of support to address mathematics teaching and learning difficulties.