With temperatures rising across the UK, many self-isolating Brits have been hopeful that the warm weather will bring an end to the coronavirus outbreak.
But experts have poured cold water on these theories, and have warned that coronavirus ‘won’t go away with the warm weather’.
Members of the National Academy of Sciences have penned a letter to the White House, explaining that data is mixed on whether the virus will stop spreading in warmer climates.
The letter said: “There is some evidence to suggest that [coronavirus] may transmit less efficiently in environments with higher ambient temperature and humidity; however, given the lack of host immunity globally, this reduction in transmission efficiency may not lead to a significant reduction in disease spread without the concomitant adoption of major public health interventions.”
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In the letter, the experts cite a study of the outbreak in China, which shows that even under warm and humid conditions, the virus spread ‘exponentially.’
Based on the findings, the researchers are urging the public not to rely on warm weather to bring an end to the pandemic.
Dr William Schaffner, an expert at Vanderbilt University Medical Centre, said: “Although we can hope weather will make some contribution to the reduction in transmission, we can’t rely on it alone.
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“We have to continue to employ social distancing and other measures to reduce transmission.”
The letter comes after Donald Trump reassured that the spread of the virus would slow with warmer weather.
Trump has previously said: “Looks like in April, you know in theory when it gets a little warmer it miraculously goes away.”
Meanwhile, the US President also claimed: “The heat, generally speaking, kills this kind of virus.”
Temeperatures are expected to rise to 25C in the UK across the Easter weekend – but authorities are urgently calling for Brits to stick to lockdown guidance and stay at home.
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