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Title: Asymmetric Relationship between Ambient Air Temperature and Incidence of COVID-19 in the Human Population
The complexity of transmission of COVID-19 in the human population cannot be overstated. Although major transmission routes of COVID-19 remain as human-to-human interactions, understanding the possible role of climatic and weather processes in accelerating such interactions is still a challenge. The majority of studies on the transmission of this disease have suggested a positive association between a decrease in ambient air temperature and an increase in human cases. Using data from 19 early epicenters, we show that the relationship between the incidence of COVID-19 and temperature is a complex function of prevailing climatic conditions influencing human behavior that govern virus transmission dynamics. We note that under a dry (low-moisture) environment, notably at dew point temperatures below 0°C, the incidence of the disease was highest. Prevalence of the virus in the human population, when ambient air temperatures were higher than 24°C or lower than 17°C, was hypothesized to be a function of the interaction between humans and the built or ambient environment. An ambient air temperature range of 17 to 24°C was identified, within which virus transmission appears to decrease, leading to a reduction in COVID-19 human cases.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2001664
NSF-PAR ID:
10399604
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
ISSN:
0002-9637
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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