Second quantization approach to COVID-19 epidemic

Abstract

We show how the standard field theoretical language based on creation and annihilation operators may be used for a straightforward derivation of an SIR-type stochastic model for COVID-19 epidemic, from which we obtain the time evolution of the mean number of infectious (active cases) and deceased individuals. In order to capture the effects of lockdown and social distancing, we use a time-dependent infection rate. The results are in good agreement with the data for three different waves of epidemic activity in South Korea.