COVID-19 cases are likely to surge in winter
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
Significance
Viruses, however, survive better in the environment during winter and respiratory viruses transmit more readily during a colder, drier season. While some countries experienced the peak of the pandemic around April, others are now accelerating, irrespective of weather. This points to public health measures remaining central to management of COVID-19, especially in the complex interplay with other winter pathogens.
Impacts
- Coming months will reveal more data on immune status of affected individuals and likelihood of reinfection.
- Initial data from advanced vaccine clinical trials will become available towards November-December.
- The political stance on public health will remain the biggest driver of reform in global management of this and future epidemics.
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