Correlation between UV Index, Temperature and Humidity with Respect to Incidence and Severity of COVID 19 in Spain

Juan Blas Pérez-Gilaberte, Natalia Martín-Iranzo, José Aguilera (), Manuel Almenara-Blasco, María Victoria de Gálvez and Yolanda Gilaberte
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Juan Blas Pérez-Gilaberte: Department of Internal Medicine, Miguel Servet University Hospital, IIS Aragon, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
Natalia Martín-Iranzo: Medical School, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
José Aguilera: Photobiological Dermatology Laboratory Medical Research Center, Department of Dermatology and Medicine, School of Medicine, Campus Universitario de Teatinos S/N, 29071 Málaga, Spain
Manuel Almenara-Blasco: Department of Dermatology, Miguel Servet University Hospital, IIS Aragon, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
María Victoria de Gálvez: Photobiological Dermatology Laboratory Medical Research Center, Department of Dermatology and Medicine, School of Medicine, Campus Universitario de Teatinos S/N, 29071 Málaga, Spain
Yolanda Gilaberte: Department of Dermatology, Miguel Servet University Hospital, IIS Aragon, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 3, 1-13

Abstract: Background: Various studies support the inverse correlation between solar exposure and Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 infection. In Spain, from the Canary Islands to the northern part of the country, the global incidence of COVID-19 is different depending on latitude, which could be related to different meteorological conditions such as temperature, humidity, and ultraviolet index (UVI). The objective of the present work was to analyze the association between UVI, other relevant environmental factors such as temperature and humidity, and the incidence, severity, and mortality of COVID-19 at different latitudes in Spain. Methods: An observational prospective study was conducted, recording the numbers of new cases, hospitalizations, patients in critical units, mortality rates, and annual variations related to UVI, temperature, and humidity in five different provinces of Spain from January 2020 to February 2021. Results: Statistically significant inverse correlations (Spearman coefficients) were observed between UVI, temperature, annual changes, and the incidence of COVID-19 cases at almost all latitudes. Conclusion: Higher ultraviolet radiation levels and mean temperatures could contribute to reducing COVID-19 incidence, hospitalizations, and mortality.

Keywords: COVID-19 incidence; hospitalizations; mortality; ultraviolet radiation; temperature (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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