COVID-19 AND THE RELATIONSHIP WITH ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS: A SCOPE REVIEW

Abstract

Objective: Conduct a scoping review to map the scientific evidence on the existing relationship between the transmission and spread of COVID-19 with environmental, climatic and seasonality factors. Methodology: Review studies published in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, SCOPUS and Virtual Health Library Portal (VHL). 33 studies were included in the review, most from China, followed by Brazil and the United States of America. Results: The most studied factors were temperature, climate and humidity, wind, air quality, precipitation with the transmission of the SARS-Cov-2 virus in the year 2020. The attribution of the positive relationship or not, obtained in the studies regarding influence of climatic environmental factors and seasonality on the transmission or dissemination of SARS-CoV2 are controversial both for the increase or reduction of cases, due to the divergence of results regarding the studied variables, design and location. Conclusion: This study did not find enough evidence to support the hypothesis that higher temperatures will reduce COVID-19 transmission. The significant and valid impact of air pollution and climate change on the transmission of COVID-19 must be considered, with strong implications for preventive strategies for new pandemics.