Contents
In line with its mission, the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony makes every effort to provide reliable medical content supported by the latest scientific knowledge. The additional flag “Checked Content” indicates that the article has been reviewed by or written directly by a physician. This two-step verification: a medical journalist and a doctor allows us to provide the highest quality content in line with current medical knowledge.
Our commitment in this area has been appreciated, among others, by by the Association of Journalists for Health, which awarded the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony with the honorary title of the Great Educator.
Several preliminary analyzes of the coronavirus transmission data suggest the pandemic could end with the onset of warming. For now, however, it is too early to assume such a scenario. The World Health Organization spoke on this matter.
Some viral strains, such as those that cause colds and flu, are less likely to spread during the warmer seasons. The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is also being investigated in this regard, although it can already be seen that it does not bypass countries where temperatures currently oscillate around 20 degrees. Initial scientific reports on the impact of climate on the transmission of the new strain were followed by Karen Hao, a journalist at the university’s journal “MIT Technology Review”.
A recent analysis by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which used data collected by Johns Hopkins University, says that the highest transmission of the coronavirus occurred in regions where temperatures were between 3 and 13 degrees when the outbreak began. In contrast, in countries with average temperatures exceeding 18 degrees, less than 5 percent were recorded. all cases. The same relationship was also noticed in the US, where southern states such as Texas, Florida, and Arizona recorded a slower rate of increase in the incidence than northern states such as Washington, New York, and Colorado.
See also: Coronavirus in the US also attacks young people. They account for 38 percent. hospitalized cases
Similar research was also carried out by a team of scientists from Spain and Finland, who said that so far 95 percent. cases around the world occurred in regions with temperatures ranging from -2 to 10 degrees Celsius and in dry conditions. Earlier this month, a study by a team led by scientists from Beihang University in China, which analyzed the transmission rate of the coronavirus in Chinese cities, was also published. It turned out that in the first days of the outbreak, even before government interventions, in hot and humid cities, the pathogen spread more slowly than in cold and dry cities.
However, none of these articles have been peer reviewed, and correlations may arise from confusing variables. Each country has responded to the pandemic with different measures that may cause differences in transmission speed. Factors such as population density and quality of medical care also play a significant role here, and they can affect transmission more than the weather.
Prof. Marc Lipsitch, director of the Center for the Dynamics of Infectious Diseases at the Harvard School of Public Health, stated that although we can expect slight declines in SARS-CoV-2 contagion in warmer and wetter weather, it is unreasonable to expect the transmission to slow down enough for the difference to be clear.
– This virus will stay with us for some time – and the data certainly suggests that it will not disappear suddenly when the weather changes – said Prof. Lydia Bourouiba of MIT.
The website of the World Health Organization states:
The findings so far show that COVID-19 disease can spread in all areas, including humid and hot climates. Regardless of the weather, take protective measures if you live or travel to the area that reports COVID-19. The best way to protect yourself is by washing your hands frequently. This way, you eliminate any viruses that might be on your hands and avoid any infection that touching your eyes, mouth, and nose can cause.
Also read: What does WHO say about the coronavirus pandemic?
A similar answer can be found on the website of the Polish Ministry of Health:
While scientists assume that the SARS-CoV-2 virus may, like the flu virus, show seasonality, there is insufficient scientific evidence for the effects of temperature and other environmental factors on the coronavirus.
The editorial board recommends:
- Spring is felt in China and the coronavirus is ending hope [CORRESPONDENT MEDTvoiLokony]
- Scientists are looking for the source of the coronavirus. What animal did man get infected?
- A doctor infected with the coronavirus describes the fight against the disease day by day
Have a question about the coronavirus? Send them to the following address: [email protected]. You will find a daily updated list of answers HERE: Coronavirus – frequently asked questions and answers.