Warmer Temperatures Not Enough To Prevent COVID-19 Spread: Study
Umer Jamshaid Published June 09, 2021 | 10:52 PM
Transmission of the virus behind COVID-19 varies seasonally, but warmer conditions are not enough to prevent its spread, shows a new research
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Jun, 2021 ) :Transmission of the virus behind COVID-19 varies seasonally, but warmer conditions are not enough to prevent its spread, shows a new research.
The study, led by Imperial College London researchers, showed that temperature and population density are the most important factors determining how easily the virus spreads, but only in the absence of mobility-restricting measures, such as lockdowns.
"Our results show that temperature changes have a much smaller effect on transmission than policy interventions, so while people remain unvaccinated, governments mustn't drop policies like lockdowns and social distancing just because a seasonal change means the weather is warming up," said first author Tom Smith, from the Department of Life Sciences at Imperial.
"However, our work also suggests that lower autumn and winter temperatures may lead to the virus spreading more easily in the absence of policy interventions or behavioural changes," added Smith.
The findings are published in Proceedings of the National academy of Sciences.
Seasonal variation has been a source of uncertainty in transmission forecasts of SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind COVID-19. Other viruses, like flu viruses and other coronaviruses, are known to be affected by environmental factors, Medical Daily reported .
However, quantifying the effects of environmental factors including temperature, humidity, and UV radiation (sunshine) on SARS-CoV-2 transmission has been difficult during the pandemic, since human factors like population density and behaviour have been the main drivers of transmission.
While temperature and population density do influence SARS-CoV-2 transmission, the studyre-confirms that the most important drivers are public policy and individual behaviour. For example, during lockdowns, there was no meaningful signature of temperature influencing transmission.
This means, for example, that warmer regions should not expect to ease mobility restrictions before colder regions. This is especially true as warmer regions tend to have higher population densities," said Will Pearse, from the Department of Life Sciences at Imperial.
Recent Stories
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
Pakistan, Japan agrees to convene 'Economic Policy Dialogue'
FM Dar conveys deepest sympathy on torrential rains devastation in UAE
Spain PM Sanchez says weighing resignation after wife's graft probe
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 1st update
Long-lost Klimt portrait auctioned off for 30 mn euros
Osaka seals first win on clay since 2022 in Madrid
Earthquake jolts Karachi
Sindh minister orders operation after attack on police in Ghotki
TikTok to fight US ban law in courts
More Stories From Pakistan
-
Pakistan, UK discuss collaboration in education sector
2 hours ago -
PMD forecast rain-windstorm/thunderstorm for various parts of country
2 hours ago -
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
3 hours ago -
FM Dar conveys deepest sympathy on torrential rains devastation in UAE
3 hours ago -
Earthquake jolts Karachi
3 hours ago -
Sindh minister orders operation after attack on police in Ghotki
3 hours ago
-
Police book youngster for abusing student for one year
3 hours ago -
Police arrest 23 suspects, recover stolen money, phones
3 hours ago -
Colorful cultural festival concludes at NUML
3 hours ago -
Immunization awareness week kicks off in Balochistan
3 hours ago -
Ministers visit Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Hospital following roof collapse incident
3 hours ago -
IHC serves notices in petition against 'roti' price fixation
4 hours ago