A current research study asks which factors affect the development of the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors investigate meteorological elements and public health procedures across multiple geographical areas.
As the COVID-19 pandemic rumbles on, researchers are observing its features from every possible angle. Some scientists are trying to determine aspects that decrease the speed of its spread.
The authors of a recent study, released in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, asked whether school closures and other public health interventions lead to a slowdown of the COVID-19 pandemic.
They also examined whether geographical and meteorological elements play a part in cutting the pandemic, consisting of latitude, temperature, and humidity.
As anticipated, the authors found that “public health interventions were strongly associated with decreased epidemic development.” More surprisingly, they concluded that the spread of SARS-CoV-2 was not associated with temperature level.
Researchers have actually established that influenza break outs– the most well-studied respiratory viral break outs– are related to changes in climate; they tend to happen throughout cooler months. However, concerns remain as to why these viruses show such seasonality.
Although scientists are still investigating the matter, minimized case numbers in hotter months are likely to be due to higher temperature levels, higher humidity, or greater solar radiation.
As the authors describe, “These 3 attributes are all related to geographical latitude, a procedure that can be figured out effortlessly and with accuracy.”
The truth that schools tend to close over the summer months could likewise play a part in minimizing the threat of influenza break outs.
For the current research study, the researchers focused on data drawn from ‘geopolitical areas with recorded outbreaks of COVID-19’ during 2 separate weeks.
They classified the very first week– March 7–13, 2020– as the direct exposure period. The authors took note of latitude, temperature level, humidity, school closures, limitations of mass events, and physical distancing steps.
Then, they determined the boost in the variety of COVID-19 cases 14 days later on to permit the incubation period. They took their mea