While certainly something for health care and policymakers to be aware of, the effect of weather and climate on COVID-19 is unlikely to have significant impact overall, and is readily countered by control measures.The weather in Flagstaff, Arizona is unlike most other areas in the state. While there does seem to be an increase in COVID-19 cases in the winter months, the cause of this is multi-factorial. However, larger studies where one group was given vitamin D supplements and another weren’t have thrown doubt on these relationships, particularly in those who were not deficient. This was theorised to be due to the effect of vitamin D on the immune system, preventing some of the severe inflammatory impacts of the disease, and potentially improving the ability of the individual to combat the infection. Other initial studies also showed lower levels of vitamin D in those diagnosed with COVID-19.
This was after a number of observational studies identified poorer outcomes in geographical areas with high levels of vitamin D deficiency.ĭoes vitamin D ward off coronavirus? Don't reach for the supplements yet Vitamin D has received significant attention throughout the pandemic for a potentially protective effect against COVID-19. But so far, this isn’t backed up by evidence. It’s unlikely due to vitamin DĪnother potential factor in COVID-19 transmission centres on the seasonal change in population-wide vitamin D levels. In the United Kingdom in January this year, this caused a significant increase in COVID-19 transmission. In the northern hemisphere, winter also coincides with the holiday season, which sees significant amounts of travel, both international and domestic, and a significant uptick in large social gatherings. Respiratory illnesses spread more easily indoors. Some indoor spaces – including shops, restaurants, homes – are poorly ventilated, allowing colds, flus and other respiratory illness such as COVID to spread more easily. Behavioural explanationsĪ range of other factors which coincide with winter are likely to have a greater impact on transmission than how the virus behaves in cold climates.Īs the colder winter months arrive, we flee the outdoors, instead opting for indoor activities.
So, it’s the shared air that spreads the virus, and that’s why face masks are important. These aerosols can remain suspended in the air for up to 16 hours. These particles range from larger respiratory droplets to smaller aerosols. The virus can spread from an infected person’s mouth or nose in small liquid particles when they cough, sneeze, speak, sing or breathe. On April 30 this year, the World Health Organization updated its guidance on how COVID-19 was transmitted: Research shows coronavirus thrives in dry air (and August is coastal Australia's least humid month)
The same is true for most coastal areas in Australia. In Sydney, humidity is lowest in winter, particularly in August, and highest in summer. The researchers noted a 1% decrease in humidity could increase the number of COVID-19 cases by 6%.Īnother recent study from the United States and China found higher temperatures and higher relative humidity potentially suppressed COVID-19 transmission. One study from 2020 reported a link between COVID-19 and lower humidity. This increases the potential exposure and transmission to other people. In environments with low humidity, there is less water vapour in the air (in other words, the air is dry), and when a COVID-19 positive person coughs, aerosolised particles stay suspended for much longer in the air. So the amount of active virus in the environment might be greater during the winter months, and in cold, dry climates. Our World In Data Why do cases often rise in winter? Biological explanationsĬoronaviruses survive longer in environments of decreased sunlight, lower temperatures and lower relative humidity. Cases in the UK peaked in January 2021 and again last month.
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