Should Kenyans Brace For High Covid-19 Cases Due To Cold Weather?

The novel Covid-19 is said to be thriving well in cold temperatures and it is also likely to be more severe in such environments. Though not fully proven, a couple of studies tend to support this statement.

According to a medical analysis in some affected cities in China, the optimum environmental temperature associated with the SARS cases was between 16 to 28 degrees Celsius, which may encourage virus growth.

Kenya’s cold weather is usually witnessed in June, July, and August with Kenya Meteorological Department predicting that daytime temperatures could even fall below 18 degrees Celsius.

The Weather atlas says that July is the coldest month of the year in Kenya’s capital Nairobi, with an average high temperature of 22 degrees Celsius (71.6°F) and an average low temperature of 9.2 degrees Celsius (48.6°F).

During the cold seasons in Kenya, there is always a surge in the number of respiratory infections including asthma, pneumonia, common cold and flu and since the coming of Covid-19, there is a high chance that the cases would surge too.

KMD data shows that Nairobi, most parts of the Rift Valley, Central Kenya, and Western tend to witness extremely cold temperatures during the Cold Seasons.

Dr. Bernard Muia, a global public health expert who spoke to the Daily Nation supports the argument that Covid-19 infections might increase during the cold season.

“We are noticing increased cases based on testing of the most vulnerable and suspected people like the drivers and people in quarantine. “But, the numbers we’re seeing could also be associated with cold weather during which respiratory tract infections and reinfections increase, “Dr. Muia said.

Several other publications have supported the claim that cold weather is the peak of the virus. A study by the University of Sydney says the wintertime is Covid-19 time while another journal by Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine states that “emerging data appears to suggest that cold and dry conditions may facilitate the spread of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).”

However, the research on how temperatures influence the rate of Covid-19 infections is still scanty and it has not been ascertained whether cold or hot temperatures affect the spread.

To be on a safer side, continue adhering to the guidelines put in place by the Government and Health experts to combat the spread of the virus and for the cold season always keep warm.

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