Seasonal change and COVID-19: Will the harmattan season lead to an increase in COVID-19 cases in Nigeria?
Open Access
- 30 December 2020
- journal article
- Published by Heighten Science Publications Corporation in Journal of Pulmonology and Respiratory Research
- Vol. 4 (1), 021-022
- https://doi.org/10.29328/journal.jprr.1001017
Abstract
The harmattan season, which is a period characterized by low temperature, dry air and increased air pollution leads to widespread airborne disease and exacerbation of pre-existing conditions, should be recognized as a period of potential risk of high COVID-19 infection rates. This period also coincides with the Christmas season which comes with so many festivities and can become a COVID-19 super-spreader. With many Nigerians now abandoning the non-pharmaceutical protection measures against COVID-19, the harmattan season and the forthcoming spike in social gatherings might usher in the second wave of the virus which can potentially be more catastrophic. There is need for the Nigerian government to start planning and instituting new protection measures and guidelines for safe Christmas celebration while also educating and encouraging the populace to adopt the protection measures recommended by experts.Keywords
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