Role of Meteorological Variables in COVID-19 in Iraq 2020

Abstract

Cross Sectional Analytic study conducted in five Iraqi cities (Sulaimanyiah, Diyala, Baghdad, Najaf and Basrah) for characteristics of COVID-19 cases both epidemiological (infection, recovery, death) and meteorological variables (mean temperature MT, relative humidity RH and daily temperature range DTR). The published official data has been collected for the period from 23/2/2020 to 2/8/2020, week no.8 to week no.31 directly from governmental web sites.  To calculate the association between incidence rates and metrological variables we considered one-week lag phase. in order to estimating correlation coefficient between parameters we use (spearman correlation, coefficient correlation and P. value); considering the confidence interval 95%, if the P. value is equal or less than 0.05. Data analysis was done by MS. Excel 2019, SPSS programs. The result show significant correlation of COIVED-19 incidence; cure rate% and CFR% with meteorological variables (MT, DTR and RH). The type and strength of the relation were varied temporally and spatially, which may due to the differences in the climate pattern of Iraqi cities. The meteorological variables are important factors for in COVID-19 infection in Iraq. The Iraqi government should take this in the account in emergencies and respond plan setting. Another studies direction is to be covering (air pollution, patient health history and age groups) to achieve a better insight for the fighting model against COVID-19.