Long-term spatiotemporal analysis of the climate related impact on the transmission rate of COVID-19.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The association between weather conditions and the spread of COVID-19 was demonstrated by previous studies but focused on specific countries or investigated shorter periods of duration limiting the interpretation of the results. AIM: To make an international comprehensive insight into the association between the weather conditions and the spread of COVID-19 by spanning many regions in the Northern and Southern hemispheres over a period of two years for the COVID-19 Outbreak. METHODS: The data were analyzed by using statistical description, linear and multiple regressions, and the Spearman rank correlation test. Daily and weekly COVID-19 cases, the average temperatures, Wind Speed, the amount of precipitation as well as the relative humidity rates were collected from Irbid, Jordan as the main location of analyses, as well as comparison cities and countries in both hemispheres. RESULTS: we found that certain climate variables are significant factors in determining the transmission rate of COVID-19 worldwide. Where, The temperature in the northern hemisphere regions was the most important climate factor that affects the increase in the transmission rate of COVID-19 (Northern Hemisphere rs = -0.65; Irbid rs = -0.74995; P < 0.001), While in southern hemisphere, the climate factor that affects the increase in the transmission rate of COVID-19 was the humidity (rs = 0.55; P < 0.01), In addition, we found the negligible and oscillated effect of wind speed on the transmission rate of COVID-19 worldwide. Moreover, we found that in Irbid 82% of COVID-19 cases were in the fall and winter seasons, while in summer the percentage of COVID-19 cases didn't exceed 3% during the total study period. CONCLUSION: This study can help develop international strategies and policies against COVID-19-related pandemic peaks, especially during the colder seasons in the Northern Hemisphere regions from the first month of fall to the last month of winter.