COVID-19 mortality and environmental factors during wet and dry seasons
in West and Southern AFrica
Abstract
SubSahara Africa has been the last continent to experience a significant
number of cases in the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Several studies
have suggested that air pollution is related to COVID-19 mortality; poor
air quality has been linked to cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and
respiratory disease, which are considered co-morbidities linked to
COVID-19 death. We examine potential connections between country-wide
COVID-19 mortality and environmental conditions in Senegal, Cabo Verde,
Nigeria, Cote D’Ivoire, and Angola. We analyze PM2.5 concentrations from
cost-effective in situ measurements, aerosol optical depth (AOD), and
fire count from space-borne platforms during the dry season when dust
and biomass burning aerosols are present in Southern Africa. In
addition, we examine the COVID-19 mortality during the wet season using
space-borne rain measurements to determine potential linkages which
might occur as a result of time spent indoors and concurrent cases of
flu, waterborne and vector-borne diseases in West Africa. Results are
presented from March through December of 2020.