This archive report was first published on 10 June 2020.
On June 10, 2020, a study by researchers at Mount Auburn Hospital shed light on the impact of weather conditions on the spread of Covid-19.
The study, which was published in the Clinical Infectious Diseases Journal, analyzed daily reported cases of Covid-19 infection across the United States from January through April.
According to the study, warmer temperatures have a modest effect on slowing the spread of Covid-19, but the impact remains minimal.
Researchers found that the rate of Covid-19 incidence decreases with warmer temperatures up until 52 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius), but any further increase in temperature beyond that has no significant effect on the spread of the disease.
Additionally, the study revealed that a higher UV index also assists in slowing the growth rate of new cases, but the overall impact remains modest.
On the other hand, precipitation patterns were found to have no effect on virus transmission.
Kenya, which generally enjoys warmer temperatures, averaging between 20 and 28 degrees Celsius, is likely to experience minimal impact from the disease due to its favourable weather conditions.
Health experts warn against ignoring recommended Covid-19 prevention strategies, with the false assumption that high temperatures will protect individuals from the coronavirus disease.
The World Health Organisation notes that there is insufficient evidence to determine the impact of temperature variations on the transmission of the disease.
