Before revision:  The well-known Lotka-Euler estimating equation can then be invoked to relate the daily growth rate \lambda of the epidemic with the basic reproduction number R_0 . We applied the disease spreading model to epidemic development in affected provinces across China following the Wuhan lockdown on January 23, 2020. The remarkable three-phase universal pattern can be well-captured by the model. Despite its simplicity, the model allows synthesis of data from diverse sources to form a quantitative understanding of key mechanisms that drive or contain the disease spreading, and to make informed decisions to bring the pandemic under control .
After revision:  The well-known Lotka-Euler estimating equation can then be invoked to relate the daily growth rate \lambda of the epidemic with the basic reproduction number R_0 under specific disease control practices such as contact tracing, testing and social distancing. Finally, in light of our model findings, we analyze the bell-shaped curves of epidemic evolution from various affected regions, and recommend measures to steer the pandemic to its final descent at a universal decay rate of -0.32/day .