COVID-19 surge dates in Europe correlated to latitudes

[BenG]

"Autumn COVID-19 surge dates in Europe correlated to latitudes, not to temperature-humidity, pointing to vitamin D as contributing factor", newly published in Nature journal.

Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-81419-w

Abstract

To determine the factor triggering the sudden surge of daily new COVID-19 cases arising in most European countries during the autumn of 2020. The dates of the surge were determined using a fitting of the two last months of reported daily new cases in 18 European countries with latitude ranging from 39° to 62°. The study proves no correlation between the country surge date and the 2 weeks preceding temperature or humidity but shows an impressive linear correlation with latitude. The country surge date corresponds to the time when its sun UV daily dose drops below ≈ 34% of that of 0° latitude. Introducing reported seasonal blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration variation into the reported link between acute respiratory tract infection risk and 25(OH)D concentration quantitatively explains the surge dynamics. Several studies have already substantiated a 25(OH)D concentration impact on COVID-19 severity. However, by comparing different patient populations, discriminating whether a low 25(OH)D concentration is a real factor underlying COVID-19 severity or only a marker of another weakness that is the primary severity factor can be challenging. The date of the surge is an intrapopulation observation and has the benefit of being triggered only by a parameter globally affecting the population, i.e. decreases in the sun UV daily dose. The results indicate that a low 25(OH)D concentration is a contributing factor to COVID-19 severity, which, combined with previous studies, provides a convincing set of evidence.

 

Edited January 23, 2021 by ...

[BenG]

This thread really flopped huh

[little legend]

Wow!!

 

Spoiler

I just wanted to say something cause i feel bad for no-one responding

 

[BenG]

Maybe I should talk about CRISPR-69 instead

[little legend]

Just now, ... said:

Maybe I should talk about CRISPR-69 instead

[joesuda Pronounshe/him/his]

Nature usually is quite a respectable publication so if this is true then maybe countries should push their citizens to consume D-vitamins?

[BenG]

7 minutes ago, Joesuda said:

Nature usually is quite a respectable publication so if this is true then maybe countries should push their citizens to consume D-vitamins?

There have been multiple clinical studies on the role of vitamin D, especially as treatment, but nothing really conclusive. I think this study is particularly interesting because it's based on data analysis (I think) and the correlation is really strong.

And tbh vitamin D is so cheap it should be worth pushing even if it doesn't help with COVID-19.

Edited January 23, 2021 by ...

[GitHub Pronounsshe/her]

This is interesting

 

[BenG]

2 minutes ago, GitHub said:

This is interesting

Dry lab?

Edited January 23, 2021 by ...

[GitHub Pronounsshe/her]

7 minutes ago, ... said:

Dry lab?

Spoiler

actually working on some drug repurposing studies for COVID though

 

Edited January 23, 2021 by GitHub
fix: grammar

[Fame Romance]

The correlation is strong but I think the main factor that caused rises of Corona cases in Europe is the re-opening of schools after the summer break that coincided with the begging of the autumn