Relationship between COVID-19 and weather: Case study in a tropical country

Denes K A Rosario; Yhan S Mutz; Patricia C Bernardes; Carlos A Conte-Junior

doi:10.1016/j.ijheh.2020.113587

Relationship between COVID-19 and weather: Case study in a tropical country

Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2020 Aug:229:113587. doi: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2020.113587. Epub 2020 Jun 19.

Authors

Denes K A Rosario¹, Yhan S Mutz², Patricia C Bernardes³, Carlos A Conte-Junior⁴

Affiliations

¹ COVID-19 Research Group, Center for Food Analysis (NAL), Technological Development Support Laboratory (LADETEC), Avenida Horácio Macedo, 1281, Polo de Química, bloco C, 21941-598, Ilha do Fundão, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Av. Athos da Silveira Ramos, 149, Cidade Universitária, 21941-909, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. Electronic address: deneskarosario@ufrj.br.
² COVID-19 Research Group, Center for Food Analysis (NAL), Technological Development Support Laboratory (LADETEC), Avenida Horácio Macedo, 1281, Polo de Química, bloco C, 21941-598, Ilha do Fundão, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Av. Athos da Silveira Ramos, 149, Cidade Universitária, 21941-909, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. Electronic address: yhan.mutz@ufrj.br.
³ Center for Agricultural Sciences and Engineering, Federal University of Espirito Santo, Alto Universitário, s/n, Alegre, ES, 29500-000, Brazil. Electronic address: patricia.bernardes@ufes.br.
⁴ COVID-19 Research Group, Center for Food Analysis (NAL), Technological Development Support Laboratory (LADETEC), Avenida Horácio Macedo, 1281, Polo de Química, bloco C, 21941-598, Ilha do Fundão, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Av. Athos da Silveira Ramos, 149, Cidade Universitária, 21941-909, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; National Institute of Health Quality Control, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, 21040-900, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Electronic address: conte@iq.ufrj.br.

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between weather factors (temperature, humidity, solar radiation, wind speed, and rainfall) and COVID-19 infection in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Solar radiation showed a strong (-0.609, p < 0.01) negative correlation with the incidence of novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Temperature (maximum and average) and wind speed showed negative correlation (p < 0.01). Therefore, in this studied tropical state, high solar radiation can be indicated as the main climatic factor that suppress the spread of COVID-19. High temperatures, and wind speed also are potential factors. Therefore, the findings of this study show the ability to improve the organizational system of strategies to combat the pandemic in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and other tropical countries around the word.

Keywords: Coronavirus; SARS-CoV-2; Solar radiation; Tropical temperature; Wind speed.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Betacoronavirus*
Brazil / epidemiology
COVID-19
Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology*
Coronavirus Infections / virology
Humans
Humidity
Incidence
Pandemics
Pneumonia, Viral / epidemiology*
Pneumonia, Viral / virology
SARS-CoV-2
Temperature
Tropical Climate*
Weather*
Wind