Marc Lipsitch, an epidemiologist at Harvard University, said that while we may “expect modest declines in the contagiousness” of this disease during warmer, wetter weather, it will not completely stop the spread of the disease. There is much more to learn about the transmissibility, severity, and other features associated with COVID-19 and investigations are ongoing. At this time, it is not known whether the spread of COVID-19 will decrease when weather becomes warmer. Some other viruses, like the common cold and flu, spread more during cold weather months but that does not mean it is impossible to become sick with these viruses during other months. It is not yet known whether weather and temperature impact the spread of COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) writes: However, it is possible that warm weather will help to slow the spread of this disease. This strain of coronavirus can spread during warm weather. Here’s a map from John Hopkin’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) showing “Countries and Territories with Confirmed Cases of Coronavirus” as of March 12, 2020: The fact that cases of COVID-19 have been reported all around the globe also shows this disease can spread regardless of the temperature outside. WHO also produced an infographic explaining that people should take precautionary measures (such as washing their hands) regardless of the current season or where they live: By doing this you eliminate viruses that may be on your hands and avoid infection that could occur by then touching your eyes, mouth, and nose. The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is by frequently cleaning your hands. Regardless of climate, adopt protective measures if you live in, or travel to an area reporting COVID-19. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that all the evidence so far shows that COVID-19 “can be transmitted in ALL AREAS, including areas with hot and humid weather.”įrom the evidence so far, the COVID-19 virus can be transmitted in ALL AREAS, including areas with hot and humid weather. However, health experts do not know how the spread of COVID-19 will be impacted by warm weather. Inadequate and poorly designed ventilation in crowded public places and urban transit systems may boost exposure to air-borne pathogens.”
With the onset of cooler weather, people spend most of their time indoors.
As Auda Fares, a researcher at the University Hospital Bochum, Germany, put it: “Pathogens like crowded environments. Elizabeth McGraw, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics at Pennsylvania State University, explained to Time Magazine: “The droplets that carry viruses do not stay suspended in humid air as long, and the warmer temperatures lead to more rapid virus degradation.”Īnother reason why some diseases flourish during colder months is because people spend a lot of time indoors and in crowded, poorly ventilated public places. Some strains of coronavirus, such as those that cause the common cold or influenza, typically spread during cold weather and then subside as the weather heats up.