The role of weather conditions in COVID-19 transmission: A study of a global panel of 1236 regions
Publisher DOI
Abstract
It is believed that weather conditions such as temperature and humidity have effects on COVID-19 transmission. However, these effects are not clear due to the limited observations and difficulties in separating impact of social distancing. COVID-19 data and social-economic features of 1236 regions in the world (1112 regions at the provincial level and 124 countries with the small land area) were collected. Large-scale satellite data was combined with these data with a regression analysis model to explore the effects of temperature and relative humidity on COVID-19 spreading, as well as the possible transmission risk by seasonal cycles. The result shows that temperature and relative humidity are negatively correlated with COVID-19 transmission throughout the world. Government intervention (e.g. lockdown policies) and lower population movement contributed to decrease the new daily case ratio. Weather conditions are not the decisive factor in COVID-19 transmission, in that government intervention as well as public awareness, could contribute to the mitigation of the spreading of the virus. So, it deserves a dynamic government policy to mitigate COVID-19 transmission in winter.
Date Issued
2021-04-10
Publication Type
Article
Language(s)
en
Author(s)
Zhang, Chen | |
Liao, Hua | |
Li, Hui | |
Li, Ru | |
Jensen, Steen Solvang | |
Zhang, Ying |
Additional Credits
Journal
Journal of cleaner production
Publisher
Elsevier
ISSN
0959-6526
Access(Rights)
restricted