The following information appears on WHO official website:
“From the evidence so far, the COVID-19 virus can be transmitted in ALL AREAS, including areas with hot and humid weather. Regardless of climate, adopt protective measures if you live in, or travel to an area reporting COVID-19. The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is by frequently cleaning your hands. By doing this you eliminate viruses that may be on your hands and avoid infection that could occur by then touching your eyes, mouth, and nose”.
ABC for Moms did some research on what the health experts worldwide have to say about this.
Ellen P. Carlin, Director Georgetown’s Global Infectious Disease program begins by mentioning the seasonal trend that the Influenza virus follows, but adds that looking at the stats from tropical countries, the current COVID-19 seems to have a different pattern of spread and might not be as susceptible to hot and humid weather.
Singapore and Indonesia are two such countries which are still struggling to control the spread despite the higher temperatures.
Carlin says that even if hot weather kills the virus, the vast spread that is being observed tranfers the virus to the Southern hemisphere which would have a winters April onwards.
Even as the weather warms up in the northern hemisphere, the coronavirus may still survive for days at temperatures up to 25C (77 F), according to a study in Germany published by the Journal of Hospital Infection.
The study showed a human coronavirus could persist for five days in 21C (69.8 F) temperature on a Teflon, ceramic or steel surface. In comparison, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV) could last on a plastic surface for more than five days between 22C and 25C (71.6-77F).
While health experts agree warmer weather might be a factor in containing the outbreak, they stress the outcome of each country’s response may depend on how robust its healthcare infrastructure is, how quickly those tools are deployed, and how proactive citizens are.
They also said there are other crucial variables to consider in fighting the infection, warning that simply relying on weather patterns without observing safety precautions and other health protocols invites risk.
Lets be proactive citizens and take preventive measures NOW!
