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DOH exec: No evidence weather affects transmission of COVID-19


The claim that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) do not thrive in certain weather conditions was debunked by a Department of Health official on Wednesday.

"Wala pa rin talagang ebidensya para makapagsabi kung mainit o kaya malamig ay mas magsu-survive o mamamatay ang virus," Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said at a virtual press briefing.

"Sa ngayon po wala tayong ginagamit na ganiyang pamantayan," she added.

The clarification came after the acting head of the US Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate said that the virus dies quickest in the presence of direct sunlight.

Earlier this month, the World Health Organization already said that "exposing yourself to the sun or to temperatures higher than 25 degrees celsius does not prevent COVID-19."

"The COVID-19 virus can be transmitted in ALL AREAS, including areas with hot and humid weather," it added.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque, meanwhile, previously said in January that he believes the novel coronavirus thrives easier in areas with low temperature and low humidity.

"If the temperature and humidity is low then the inactivation of the novel coronavirus takes a longer time," Duque said.

"That's why there's no wonder why China, Japan, Korea—cold countries—US, Germany, France, they were  the first ones who were in fact reported. I believe that the climate has something to do with it," he added.

Much is still unknown about the virus that causes COVID-19 was not previously detected among humans, according to the WHO. Globally, it has already infected over 2.9 million.

As of April 28, the Philippines recorded a total of 7,958 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 530 deaths and 975 recoveries. — RSJ, GMA News

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