Association between temperature, humidity, and COVID-19 outbreaks in Bangladesh. Issue 114 (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Haque, Syed Emdadul; Rahman, Mosiur
• Is Part Of: Environmental science & policy. Issue 114(2020)
• Page Start: 253
• Page End: 255
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- Coronavirus -- Temperature -- Humidity -- Bangladesh; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Politique gouvernementale -- Périodiques; Sciences de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Environmental policy; Environmental sciences; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.70561
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envsci.2020.08.012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1462-9011

Abstract

Highlights: Peak spread of COVID-19 occurred at an average temperature of 26 °C and a humidity of 55%. Highest number of cases were clustered within the average temperature range 26 °C–28 °C and within the humidity range 55%–65%. High temperature and high humidity significantly reduce the transmission of COVID-19, respectively. Abstract: This study aimed to determine the association between average temperature and humidity with COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. This study included 9, 455 confirmed cases during the observation period (March 08, 2020 to May 03, 2020). The peak spread of COVID-19 occurred at an average temperature of 26 °C. We find, under a linear regression framework, high temperature and high humidity significantly reduce the transmission of COVID-19, respectively. It indicates that the arrival of summer and rainy season in Bangladesh can effectively reduce the transmission of the COVID-19. However, it is unlikely that the COVID-19 pandemic diminishes by summer since Bangladesh still have a high coronavirus transmission. Therefore, other public health interventions such as social distancing are still important for blocking the COVID-19 transmission.