Correlation Between Local Air Temperature and the COVID-19 Pandemic in Hubei, China

Abstract

Objective: To clarify the correlation between temperature and the COVID-19 pandemic in Hubei. Methods: We collected daily newly confirmed COVID-19 cases and daily temperature for six cities in Hubei Province, assessed their correlations, and established regression models. Results: For temperatures ranging from −3.9 to 16.5°C, daily newly confirmed cases were positively correlated with the maximum temperature ~0–4 days prior or the minimum temperature ~11–14 days prior to the diagnosis in almost all selected cities. An increase in the maximum temperature 4 days prior by 1°C was associated with an increase in the daily newly confirmed cases (~129) in Wuhan. The influence of temperature on the daily newly confirmed cases in Wuhan was much more significant than in other cities. Conclusion: Government departments in areas where temperatures range between −3.9 and 16.5°C and rise gradually must take more active measures to address the COVID-19 pandemic.