False: High temperature and high relative humidity significantly reduce the transmission of COVID-19.

By: Ranjini K
May 13 2020

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The advice given by the World Health Organisation says that coronavirus can be transmitted in areas with hot and humid climates.WHO has stated that based on the evidence available so far the new virus could spread to any climate irrespective of temperature or humidity. The research papers published in Social Science Research Network and medRxiv have stated in their findings that seasonal temperatures could impact the trajectory of the number of COVID-19 cases and higher average temperature showed a lower number of cases even after controlling for population density and GDP per capita of cities. They had found that even one degree Celsius increase in temperature and one per cent increase in relative humidity lowers reproductive number. However, these preliminary studies have provided initial evidence and hence cannot be considered as conclusive. It is hard to say as it depends on whether such conditions truly hamper the new coronavirus. The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19 including symptoms, prevention and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organisation or your national healthcare authority.