Warm weather might not help to curb COVID-19

When the COVID-19 outbreak took place, it was winter almost in all the countries and it was believed that cold weather helps in the spread of the coronavirus. Different research studies stated that transmission of the new coronavirus was highest in cooler regions of the world. This forced them to determine whether an increase in temperature and humidity in the upcoming spring and summer months could curb the spread of the virus or not.

Scientific investigations have shown that many viruses have seasonal fluctuations, such as those that cause the flu, which typically surges during the winter, and Chickenpox, which usually peaks in the spring. According to researchers, those viruses seem to thrive and transmit more easily during colder months. The patterns have inspired researchers to investigate whether warmer temperatures could impact the new coronavirus’ transmission rate in countries that are moving toward their summer seasons.

COVID 19 in warm weather

In the beginning, some researches were slightly in support of the fact that warm temperatures might help to curb the coronavirus but later scientific studies and health experts warned that countries should not rely on the warm weather conditions. The pandemic may lessen because of social distancing and other measures, but the evidence so far does not inspire confidence in the benefits of sun and humidity. Every virus and pandemic is different, and there are a number of things that influence them, even in hot and humid weather. With COVID-19, there is simply not enough evidence to know if there will be a significant slowdown in infections as temperatures rise.

Heat, humidity, and light help slow the virus’s spread; sunny, hot, and humid weather alone won’t be enough to end the spread of the virus. Experts point to the examples of Singapore, Ecuador, and Louisiana, all of which have recently had growing numbers of Covid-19 cases despite temperatures being more than 80 degree Fahrenheit and humidity levels reaching more than 60, 70, or even 80 percent. High levels of heat, UV light, and humidity can help prevent more widespread infections of the flu or colds in the summer, along with medical treatments and vaccines. But the Covid-19 coronavirus is still new to humans, so we don’t have as much immune protection built up against it, so it seems that the virus might be able to overcome summer and still cause big outbreaks.

It also means that if Covid-19 becomes endemic (a disease that regularly comes back, like the flu or common cold), then heat, sunlight, and humidity could restrict bigger outbreaks to fall and winter. But that possibility is likely still years away, experts say.

So summer weather may make the outdoors a little safer, but it won’t be enough to quash coronavirus on its own. That means we’ll likely need to continue social distancing to some degree in the coming months, and continue working on getting more testing, aggressive contact tracing, and medical treatments up to scale before places can safely reopen their economies.

 

by:  Abeer Arshad 

Tags: curb COVID-19

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