Durban - A group of South African scientists will in August present findings at a global virtual conference on the role of the weather, climate and the environment in the spread of Covid-19.
According to a statement by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on Wednesday, the conference was initiated by a team of researchers from Johns Hopkins University, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Access programme in South Africa.
Access is a South African group of agencies and councils who have joined forces to deliver outputs in line with the Department of Science and Technology’s Global Change Grand Challenge (GCGC).
The symposium, which will take place from August 4 to 6, will include opening remarks by South African Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Dr Blade Nzimande.
Approximately 500 participants will consider about 100 contributions on the topic from researchers from some 30 countries.
“This is relevant in South Africa, which is experiencing its peak of the epidemic in the region during the midwinter season, at the same time that the typical influenza season peaks. Hence, the role that climate plays could be important, both at this time and in the winter season of 2021,” said Dr Neville Sweijd, convener of the Covid-19 Environmental Reference Group (CERG) and director of the Access programme.
CERG was formed under the direction of the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) to consider the environmental aspects of the coronavirus. It is comprised of experts from several local institutions, most of whom will be presenting their work on Covid-19 at the global symposium.
According to the CSIR, while environmental factors were not the catalyst for the first wave of Covid-19, questions remain as to whether or not factors such as temperature, humidity, air quality and ultraviolet light influence the spread of the SARS-CoV-2.
“It is critical to understand whether meteorological, climatological and environmental factors promote the spread of the disease either outdoors or indoors. This is a pertinent scientific question that is the subject of numerous studies,” said Professor Jürg Luterbacher, WMO chief scientist and director of science and innovation.
The virus, which originally manifested in China, in the northern hemisphere, made its way both westward and eastward.
According to experts, this could reflect a climate sensitivity or could just be human movements.
“Covid-19 is likely to be prevalent beyond the initial pandemic phase for several years. A better understanding of whether it will be influenced by seasonal environmental and weather conditions, as is the case with many other respiratory viruses and diseases, will help inform public health policy and management of the disease in the coming months and years,” said Dr Joy Shumake-Guillemot of the WMO/World Health Organization Joint Climate and Health Office.
African News Agency/ANA