French researchers have succeeded in finding a direct link between contaminations and the weather: when it is very cold – or very hot – the droplets emitted by those affected remain in the air for a shorter time than in the case of intermediate temperatures and moisture in the air. An application on “covid weather” is in preparation. DECRYPTION
Whether it is very cold or very hot, the circulation of the coronavirus is closely linked to the weather. French researchers have succeeded in finding a direct link between the contaminations curves and the weather. By studying the droplets that are emitted when coughing that contain the virus, they realized that the length of time these aerosols stay in suspension depends on the temperature and humidity of the air.
“When it’s very cold, these droplets fall to the ground. When it’s very hot and dry, they evaporate. It is in the middle stage – and with between 60 and 80% humidity – that these droplets tend to remain in suspension and are therefore more subject to transmission “, explains Alix Roumagnac, president of Predict service, a subsidiary of Météo France.
Research closely monitored by the Ministry of Health
As it is very cold right now in the northern half of the country, the virus hardly stays suspended in the air, and that is good news. But by continuing these projections, it is in March that the weather conditions will be more favorable to the development of the Covid.
This research, closely followed by the Ministry of Health, goes even further. An application on the “Covid weather forecast” is in preparation. It will allow health recommendations to be adjusted as effectively as possible according to the risks according to the regions and even according to the hours of the day.
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