New research has shown that temperature doesn’t clearly affect the spread of COVID-19. The study, published by the University of Toronto, observed all of the 144 geopolitical areas around the globe in which, by March 20, there were at least 10 cases of the new coronavirus.
The study, which was published on Thursday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, found virtually no links between the growth of the pandemic based on two factors: temperature and latitude. However, the study also observed a strong correlation between the spread of the virus and restrictions on gatherings, social distancing measures, and closure of schools. Scientists have also identified a rather weak correlation between air humidity and the diminished spread of the virus. Still, it mentioned that restrictions in the name of public health are definitely and by far the most efficient and effective way of dealing with this crisis.
Summer heat vs the new Coronavirus
Scientists found that public health interventions are the only things that have been time and time again associated with reduced growth of the epidemic. It has also been found that a higher amount of simultaneous interventions lead to a more substantial reduction in the growth of the pandemic.
One of the lead authors of the study, Dr. Peter Juni, mentioned that he is aware and can see why everyone hopes that the virus is seasonal. Juni has also expressed that the results of the research are highly relevant, especially as a lot of countries, including various territories and provinces in Canada, are looking into options of removing the interventions in public health. Dr. Juni has stressed, however, that COVID-19 does not require favorable conditions to spread.
Another co-author of the study, professor Dionne Gesink, has expressed that the coming of summer will not make the new Coronavirus disappear. However, a high amount of public interventions are crucial to slowing down the growth of the pandemic.
