SCIENTISTS have confirmed that colder temperatures will increase the spread of Covid-19, rather than reduce it.
Researchers from Banaras Hindu University in India have been exploring the relationship between a country's average temperature and the number of coronavirus cases.
They've reportedly found a significant association between countries that have colder climates and larger-scale outbreaks.
Which means that as the mercury drops, it's likely that the virus will have a better chance of spreading.
Due to this, the researchers have intimated that summertime and the warm weather that comes with it will provide the best opportunity for countries, in the northern hemisphere at least, to fight back against the bug.
Data was collected between late March and mid-April, and found that countries in higher latitudes and/or colder climates were significantly more likely to have higher numbers of Covid-19 cases.
In contrast, countries with warmer climates and lower latitudes experienced fewer cases generally.
Despite the extensive research, the scientists involved have admitted that the reasons behind the figures could be multi-faceted, and cannot simply be laid at the feet of temperature difference alone.
"All these observations suggest that low temperature might be a risk factor for Covid-19," the researchers wrote.
"However at this time, this study is unable to explain how come cold countries have relatively higher coronavirus infected cases.
"Is it just the cold, or are there additional factors?"
See More: Coronavirus, Covid-19, Temperature, Winter
