Can summer stop COVID-19’s spread?

PUNE: Increasing temperature can be helpful in reducing the transmission of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) said weather experts. 

“The weather could play a role in the spread of coronavirus, according to past patterns of flus and viruses such as SARS in 2003, the 1918 Spanish Flu and US flu, when the sun is strong and the temperature are warm from April to June,” Jatin Singh, Founder and MD, Skymet Weather Services Pvt Ltd told Sakal Times. 

“It’s possible the sunshine intensity, the longer daylight periods and the warmer weather could suppress the virus. There may be many reasons why influenza and cold infections decrease in the summer, but a major one is that that warm, humid weather makes it harder for respiratory droplets to spread viruses,” said Singh.

“The droplets that carry viruses do not stay suspended in humid air as long and the warmer temperatures lead to more rapid virus degradation,” Singh added.

He further explained that in India, we are heading to spring season. 

“Some experts are of the view that, COVID-19 becomes less active in the summer, it could return if it is not controlled during this summer season. Now, northern plains of the country will once again witness intense rain and thundershowers between March 5 and March 7,’’ said Singh. 

He added that during this time, the winds will be moderate and humidity will also increase. Temperatures will fall to the lower twenties at most places in northern plains. “But soon after we expect temperatures to increase and will be in higher twenties. Therefore, we can say if temperature is one of the factors which can control COVID-19, then we are in a much better position in comparison to countries of higher latitudes such as China, Japan and Korea,” said Singh. 

NO +VE CASES IN MAHARASHTRA
- In Maharashtra, so far 132 patients have been tested negative for COVID-19. 
- Speaking about the numbers, Dr Pradeep Awate from the State Health Department said “From January 18 till Monday, 137 symptomatic travellers have been isolated in identified isolation facilities. Out of these 137 samples sent by the state 132 have been found negative. Reports of five patients are awaited.”  

SITUATION IN MAHARASHTRA
- The state health department said that at present, seven travellers are still in hospital, two at Mumbai, four at Pune and one at Nashik. 
- Apart from Mumbai, Pune and Thane travellers are also monitored in Gadchiroli, Nanded, Buldhana, Nagpur, Wardha, Sangli, Ahmednagar, Amravati, Palghar, Jalgaon, Chandrapur, Nashik, Solapur and Satara districts, informed the state Health department. 

SPREADING IN INDIA
- Two positive cases of COVID-19 were found across India as per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) on Monday. The ministry confirmed that one positive case of COVID-19 has been detected in New Delhi, and one has been detected in Telangana. 
- Earlier, three patients had tested positive for COVID-19 in Kerala. 
- “The person from Delhi has a travel history from Italy, while the one from Telangana has a travel history from Dubai. Further details of his travels are being ascertained. And both the patients are stable and being closely monitored,” said an official statement by MOHFW.