Optimal control analysis of fractional order delayed SIQR model for COVID-19

In this study, we propose an optimal control strategies for a fractional-order COVID-19 model with time delay. Existence and uniqueness of a solution to the fractional delay model are investigated. We compute the basic reproduction number and establish the local stability analysis of the model under the Caputo derivative. We develop a fractional order delayed optimal control problem based on vaccination and treatment as time-dependent control parameters. We derive the necessary and sufficient condition for optimal control. In MATLAB, the resulting fractional delay optimality system is numerically solved employing the forward-backward sweep method. Our findings suggest that combining fractional-order derivatives with time-delay in the model enhances dynamics while increasing model complexity.