With the start of summer a few months back, everyone was relieved that the weather will slow the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. There have been hints from lab experiments that increased temperature and humidity may reduce the viability of SARS-CoV-2. Meanwhile, other coronaviruses that cause less severe diseases, such as the common cold, do spread more slowly among people during the summer.
In the new study, the researchers developed a mathematical model to simulate how seasonal changes in temperature might influence the trajectory of COVID-19 in cities around the world. Of course, because the virus emerged on the scene only recently, we don’t know very much about how it will respond to warming conditions. So, the researchers ran three different scenarios based on what’s known about the role of climate in the spread of other viruses, including two coronaviruses, called OC43 and HKU1,that are known to cause common colds in people.
In fact, the scientists found that, even if one assumes that SARS-CoV-2 is as sensitive to climate as other seasonal viruses, summer heat still would not be enough of a mitigator right now to slow its initial, rapid spread through the human population. That’s also clear from the rapid spread of COVID-19 that’s currently occurring in Brazil, Ecuador, and some other tropical nations.
The scientific community has yet to determine the exact relationship between seasonal change and the spread of COVID-19 in different parts of the world. The executive director of the World Health Organization’s Health Emergencies Program said last month it was unclear how the arrival of winter in the Southern Hemisphere would affect the situation there. Still, some experts say it’s reasonable to expect at least some seasonal fluctuation. So, even as Australia’s response to the pandemic has largely been deemed a success, challenges were anticipated as winter loomed.
It has been widely noted that the Spanish flu pandemic surged during the colder months of 1918 and 1919, which some have seen as an indication of what’s in store with COVID-19. It is also yet another reason experts say comprehensive testing and contact tracing will be essential until a vaccine can be developed.
Dr Gordan Lauc, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of Zagreb and honorary visiting professor at King’s College London, is senior author of the study.
He said: “Our findings point to a role for seasonality in the transmission and severity of COVID-19, and also argue for increased humidity and hydration as a way to combat the virus.
“This paints a grim picture for the next winter in Europe when more severe ‘winter’ COVID-19 is expected to return – something we are currently observing in the southern hemisphere.”
Flu surges in winter for three reasons. First, the virus is more stable in cold, dry conditions with low levels of ultraviolet light. Second, people spend more time together indoors, which facilitates viral spread. Third, our immune systems may be weakened due to the mild vitamin D deficiency a lack of sunlight can cause.
How Can People Protect themselves During the Winter Season?
- Maintain Social Distancing
- Wash your Hands
- Hide your Coughs
- Don’t come out if you are sick
- Sanitize the common surfaces
Before the onset of summer, most of the people were hopeful that the hot and humid weather may stop the virus from spreading further. But the COVID-19 virus proved us wrong, so there is no reason to believe that cold weather and snow can stop the virus from spreading further. Improve your immunity to fight against the virus and for that, keep your stress levels low, take enough water, eat well and avoid unhygienic food available on the streets. Let’s hope that we remain healthy and get back to our freely living lives that we were before Covid days. To read more latest Corona virus News visit the website True scoop News today, where you can updated with the latest covid-19 news.
