The effect of the Caputo fractional difference operator on a new discrete COVID-19 model

This study aims to generalize the discrete integer-order SEIR model to obtain the novel discrete fractional-order SEIR model of COVID-19 and study its dynamic characteristics. Here, we determine the equilibrium points of the model and discuss the stability analysis of these points in detail. Then, the non-linear dynamic behaviors of the suggested discrete fractional model for commensurate and incommensurate fractional orders are investigated through several numerical techniques, including maximum Lyapunov exponents, phase attractors, bifurcation diagrams and C0 algorithm. Finally, we fitted the model with actual data to verify the accuracy of our mathematical study of the stability of the fractional discrete COVID-19 model.