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 . 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.