Covid cases may dip due to high humidity, say experts

INDORE: The number of Covid -19 cases are likely to witness a decline due to increase in humidity and rise in temperature, say experts.
“The number of Covid-19 cases will definitely witness a proportionate dip, while bacterial infections and allergies will go up with the change in weather. Also, according to global trends, coronavirus is more effective in areas that have low temperature and low humidity,” SAIMS respiratory department HoD, Dr Ravi Dosi said.
Incidentally, Indore has witnessed a sudden increase in humidity level to around 70% in the last couple of days along with rainfall that continued on Thursday.
Medical experts point at global studies to highlight the effects of high temperature and high humidity on the virus.
“According to research undertaken by the Johns Hopkins University (which analysed data from several countries), mortality rate due to Covid -19 remains low in areas with high humidity and temperature,” MGMMC cardiologist and member of Covid-19 team, Dr AD Bhatnagar, said.
“This trend is even visible in our country. Initially, when Indore was witnessing high death rate due to Covid-19, humidity was around 14% to 17 %. In Raipur, however, the humidity and temperature remained very high and the death rate very low,” Bhatnagar said.
MGMMC community medicine HoD, Dr Salil Sakalle, said that various countries and parts of India that witness high temperature and humidity have seen low numbers of corona cases so far.
“High humidity and temperature will help in containing the spread of the coronavirus ,” said Sakalle.