Does behavior mediate the effect of weather on SARS-CoV-2 transmission? Evidence from cell-phone data.

ABSTRACT:

Background

There is growing evidence that weather alters SARS-CoV-2 transmission, but it remains unclear what drives the phenomenon. One prevailing hypothesis is that people spend more time indoors in cooler weather, leading to increased spread of SARS-CoV-2 related to time spent in confined spaces and close contact with others. However, the evidence in support of that hypothesis is limited and, at times, conflicting.

Objectives

We aim to evaluate the extent to which weather impacts COVID-19 via time spent away-from-home in indoor spaces, as compared to a direct effect of weather on COVID-19 hospitalization, independent of mobility.

Methods

We use a mediation framework, and combine daily weather, COVID-19 hospital surveillance, cellphone-based mobility data and buildi

SUBMITTER: Grover EN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10996765 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature