## Introduction

We developed a stochastic model to better understand the transmission of 2019-nCov in Hubei (primarily Wuhan). The model includes several features of the Wuhan outbreak that are absent from most compartmental models that otherwise confound the interpretation of data, including time-varying rates of case detection, patient isolation, and case notification. We are investigating the plausibility of alternative scenarios for the early phase of the epidemic, by modifying initial conditions and the time-dependence of these key properties. By forward simulation, the model enables the generation of predictions about the future trajectory of the epidemic under alternative scenarios for containment. This model is calibrated using a variety of data sets, including the Oxford Line List and BNO News Reports. This model was parameterized using clinical outcome reports and has not been calibrated by fitting to case notification data. All findings are preliminary and subject to change, pending future changes in the underlying data. These results have not been peer-reviewed, but have been prepared to a professional standard with the intention of providing useful information about a rapidly developing event.

## Model

The model supposes every individual in the population may be classified according to one of four mutually exclusive segments:

1. Susceptible ($$S$$)
2. Latent infection ($$E$$)
3. Infectious case in the community ($$I$$)
4. Hospitalized ($$H$$)
5. Discharged ($$R$$)

All infectious cases are either detected ($$I_d$$) or undetected ($$I_u$$) according to a time-varying case detection rate ($$0 \leq q(t) \leq 1$$). The linear chain trick is used to model realistic distributions for the progression from (i) latent to infectious infection, and (ii) infectious circulating in the community to isolation.

The rate of progression from symptomatic illness to hospitalization ($$\gamma(t)$$) is assumed to be piecewide linear with an average infectious period of $$\frac{1}{0.143}\approx 7$$ days prior to intervention day $$d$$, followed by a linear increase in average recovery rate at rate $$a_0$$. The default assumption is that $$d=45$$, which (assuming an epidemic start date of December 1) corresponds to a signficant change on January 15 as found by statistical analysis, and four days before testing was expanded in Wuhan.

$$$\gamma(t) = \begin{cases} \frac{1}{7}, & \text{if } t < d\\ \frac{1}{7}+ a_0(t-d), & \text{otherwise} \end{cases}$$$

Case detection rate, $$q(t)$$, is also assumed to be time-dependent. We assume that case detection was initially rare at rate $$q_0$$, but at time $$w$$ becomes higher, for instance after the opening of fever clinics on 9 January or the expansion of testing on 19 January.

$$$q(t) = \begin{cases} q_0, & \text{if } t \leq w\\ q_1, & \text{otherwise}. \end{cases}$$$

The model also tracks case notifications. The time of case notification is assumed not to affect the ensuing epidemic dynamics, but tracking case notifications faciliates a comparison with data.

Notification is also assumed to be time dependent, consistent with statistical analysis of data from the line list. Analysis of clinical outcomes suggests that the notification rate may be represented by

$$$\eta(t) = \begin{cases} (-0.47t+27.2)^{-1}, & \text{if } t \leq 55\\ 1, & \text{otherwise}. \end{cases}$$$

The epidemic is assumed to have originated on December 1, 2019 with one case, consistent with evidence from molecular evolution and preliminary outbreak investigations. Although the majority of early transmission was in Wuhan, the infection quickly spread to the surrounding area and the model is intended to reflect the state of the epidemic in the entire province of Hubei.

Other key parameters of the model include:

• Population size of Hubei: $$N \approx 59,002,000$$ (Wikipedia)
• Basic reproduction number in Hubei: $$R_0=4.6$$
• Natural infectious period ($$1/\gamma_0$$): 7 days
• Transmissibility: $$R_0 \times \gamma_0 \approx 0.657$$
• Rate of increase in isolation rate: $$a_0=0.0446$$
• Time at which case detection rate increased: January 9, 2020 (Day 40)
• Time at which increase in isolation rate initiated: January 15, 2020 (Day 45)

## Scenarios

Initially, we have considered the following four scenarios. Case notification data for Hubei are plotted for comparison.