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International collaboration of scientists from Europe and China has shown that air temperature and humidity have a significant impact on the severity of COVID-19 symptoms. The disease may be more severe in the colder months, and dry air may favor transmission of the coronavirus.
- Scientists have more and more evidence that the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus may be seasonal. As the temperature rises, the number of seriously ill people decreases and the mortality rate decreases
- Scientists point out that dry air in closed rooms – in winter due to heating and in summer through air conditioning, can promote the spread of the virus
- “Once we understand the factors that contribute to the severity and spread of the disease, we can implement effective disease control measures in the coming months,” explains one of the authors of the study
Many viruses occur seasonally, and infections caused by infection become more severe during the colder, winter months. It is not fully known whether the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus will also show seasonality, but more and more studies indicate it. According to previous research by scientists, the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 decreases with increasing temperature and humidity, suggesting the seasonality of the disease, but the results are inconsistent.
See also: Why have meat plants become habitats for COVID-19?
In the new study, scientists analyzed data from nearly 7. patients admitted to hospital with confirmed COVID-19 in Croatia, Spain, Italy, Finland, Poland, Germany, UK and China.
Researchers compiled data on patients’ health with local temperature and estimated room humidity. It found that the serious effects of COVID-19 were declining in most European countries during the pandemic. The closer to summer, the lower the number of severe COVID-19 cases.
The studies also showed that as the temperature rose, the death rate from COVID-19 decreased.
“In Europe, where we had seven hospitals recording data, temperature and time, we saw that for every 1 degree Celsius rise in temperature, the mortality rate dropped by around 15%.” – said in an interview with BBC Radio 4 prof. Tim Spector, an epidemiologist at King’s College London who manages the COVID Symptom Trucker app and was one of the researchers.
Conversely, in China, the severity of symptoms and the death rate remained similar during the first wave of the epidemic, which only occurred in the winter months.
The researchers also analyzed data from over 37. British users of the COVID Symptom Study application, which reports symptoms consistent with COVID-19. It turned out that as the temperature increased, the intensity of the reported symptoms decreased (in the months from March to May). These changes are too large to be explained only by an improvement in COVID-19 treatment.
The researchers also suggest that while the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus may spread more effectively in hot and humid East Asian countries, severe forms of COVID-19 and mortality rates are lower than in Europe and other more temperate regions.
Scientists also point out that heating rooms in winter can also contribute to the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Dry air in closed rooms dries the mucous membranes in the nose and respiratory tract, which facilitates infection. In addition, dry air from air conditioning in hot countries (such as the southern United States) can also increase the risk of infection.
“Our findings highlight the role of seasonality in transmission and exacerbation of COVID-19, and also support increased humidity as a means of combating the virus. This paints a bleak picture of next winter in Europe, ‘said Dr Gordan Lauc, one of the authors of the study.
Spector added that the study highlights the importance of collecting long-term data on the occurrence, symptoms and progression of COVID-19 from as many people as possible. “Once we understand the factors that contribute to the severity and spread of the disease, we can implement effective virus control measures in the coming months,” explained Spector.
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