Vector Autoregressive Modeling of COVID-19 Incidence Rate in Nigeria

Abstract

With the outbreak of COVID-19, a lot of studies have been carried out in various science disciplines to either reduce the spread or control the increasing trend of the disease. Modeling the outbreak of a pandemic is pertinent for inference making and implementation of policies. In this study, we adopted the Vector autoregressive model which takes into account the dependence that exists between both multivariate variables in modeling and forecasting the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths in Nigeria. A co-integration test was carried out prior to the application of the Vector Autoregressive model. An autocorrelation test and a test for heteroscedasticity were further carried out where it was observed that there exists no autocorrelation at lag 3 and 4 and there exists no heteroscedasticity respectively. It was observed from the study that there is a growing trend in the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths. A Vector Autoregressive model of lag 4 was adopted to make a forecast of the number of cases and death. The forecast also reveals a rising trend in the number of infections and deaths. The government therefore needs to put further measures in place to curtail the spread of the virus and aim towards flattening the curve.