Plausible role of environmental factors on covid-19 transmission in the Megacity Delhi, India

Abstract

The role of environmental factors in the transmission of COVID-19 still needs to be determined. The main objective of the present study is to explore the relationship between environmental factors (both meteorological and air pollution parameters) and the daily confirmed COVID-19 cases over Delhi, India. This study employed a secondary data analysis of COVID-19 (from 1 March to 30 June, 2020) from the Delhi State Health Bulletin and the environmental factors from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) of India. Pearson's correlation coefficients were assessed to show the correlation between environmental factors and daily confirmed COVID-19 cases. The temperature (maximum, minimum, average, and dew point) and wind speed exhibited a significant positive correlation with daily COVID-19 cases. However, diurnal temperature range, rainfall, and relative humidity showed non-significant correlations. Air pollutants were found to be weakly associated with daily COVID-19 cases. However, O3 exhibited a significant positive correlation with daily COVID-19 cases in Delhi. The probability distribution analysis reveals that approximately 80% of the total confirmed cases were registered when the average temperature was higher than 30°C. The present study finds a prominent relationship between different environmental factors and COVID-19 transmission in Delhi. However, further detailed analysis over different parts of entire India is required to get a complete picture and solid conclusion.