Data analysis evidence beyond correlation of a possible causal impact of weather on the COVID-19 spread, mediated by human mobility.

ABSTRACT: Previous correlative and modeling approaches indicate influences of environmental factors on COVID-19 spread through atmospheric conditions' impact on virus survival and transmission or host susceptibility. However, causal connections from environmental factors to the pandemic, mediated by human mobility, received less attention. We use the technique of Convergent Cross Mapping to identify the causal connections, beyond correlation at the country level, between pairs of variables associated with weather conditions, human mobility, and the number of COVID-19 cases for 32 European states. Here, we present data-based evidence that the relatively reduced number of cases registered in Northern Europe is related to the causal impact of precipitation on people's decision to spend more time at hom

SUBMITTER: Nichita DR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11294627 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature