Assessment of population density, temperature and humidity effects on COVID-19 transmission

Abstract

The Coronavirus pandemic has been referred to as the century’s largest public health threat with a daily increase in the number of cases and deaths. Studies have shown that cyclic seasonality is a feature of some respiratory viral diseases and other acute infectious diseases. The study aimed to determine the relationship between population, temperature, humidity and COVID-19 spread in 210 countries and territories. A secondary data analysis was used and data from all six regions of the World Health Organization were retrieved from their website. The Spearman’s correlation test showed a statistically significant moderate, positive relationship between cumulative confirmed cases and population (p < 0.01) and a significant association was found between cumulative confirmed cases, and average temperature (p < 0.001). Climate parameters and population density play significant roles in the transmission and incidence rate of COVID-19. More observational and experimental studies need to be done to better improve the action response and health outcomes of corona virus infection.