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Humidity is a consistent climatic factor contributing to SARS-CoV-2 transmission
  • Michael Ward,
  • Shuang Xiao,
  • Zhijie Zhang
Michael Ward
University of Sydney

Corresponding Author:michael.ward@sydney.edu.au

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Shuang Xiao
Fudan University
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Zhijie Zhang
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Abstract

There is growing evidence that climatic factors could influence the evolution of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we build on this evidence base, focusing on the southern hemisphere summer and autumn period. The relationship between climatic factors and COVID-19 cases in New South Wales, Australia was investigated during both the exponential and declining phases of the epidemic in 2020, and in different regions. Increased relative humidity was associated with decreased cases in both epidemic phases, and a consistent negative relationship was found between relative humidity and cases. Overall, a decrease in relative humidity of 1% was associated with an increase in cases of 7-8%. Overall, we found no relationship with between cases and temperature, rainfall or wind speed. Information generated in this study confirms humidity as a driver of SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
05 Jul 2020Submitted to Transboundary and Emerging Diseases
06 Jul 2020Submission Checks Completed
06 Jul 2020Assigned to Editor
07 Jul 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
21 Jul 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
22 Jul 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
23 Jul 20201st Revision Received
23 Jul 2020Submission Checks Completed
23 Jul 2020Assigned to Editor
24 Jul 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
28 Jul 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
29 Jul 2020Editorial Decision: Accept
17 Aug 2020Published in Transboundary and Emerging Diseases. 10.1111/tbed.13766