Does hot weather really kill coronavirus?

The heatwave is on – but will that impact the pandemic? (Picture: REUTERS)

For months there’s been speculation as to whether or not Covid-19 can survive in hot conditions, with President Donald Trump previously saying that he believed the virus would subside with the arrival of the warmer months.

The US leader said back in February that ‘the heat, generally speaking, kills this kind of virus’.

He told a meeting of state governors at the White House: ‘A lot of people think that goes away in April as the heat comes in. We’re in great shape though, we have 12 cases, 11 cases, but we’re in very good shape.’

Much has obviously changed since February, but with a heatwave set to remain in parts of England into next week, here’s what you should know about whether or not hot weather can actually kill coronavirus.

Does hot weather really kill Covid-19?

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Despite widespread speculation on the subject, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website says that we just don’t know enough about the virus yet to be sure how it behaves in warm weather.

The site says: ‘It is not yet known whether weather and temperature affect the spread of COVID-19.

‘Some other viruses, like those that cause the common cold and flu, spread more during cold weather months but that does not mean it is impossible to become sick with these viruses during other months. 

‘There is much more to learn about the transmissibility, severity, and other features associated with COVID-19 and investigations are ongoing.’

The World Health Organization (WHO) website also emphasises that it is still possible to catch the virus when it’s hot out.

It reads: ‘The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is by maintaining physical distance of at least 1 metre from others and frequently cleaning your hands.

‘By doing this you eliminate viruses that may be on your hands and avoid infection that could occur by then touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.’

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