Sunlight ultraviolet radiation dose is negatively correlated with the percent positive of SARS-CoV-2 and four other common human coronaviruses in the U.S.

Abstract

Human coronaviruses are RNA viruses that are sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Sunlight contains UVA (320–400 nm), UVB (260–320 nm) and UVC (200–260 nm) action spectra. UVC can inactivate coronaviruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The incidence and mortality of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are considered to be correlated with vitamin D levels. Vitamin D synthesis in human skin is closely related to exposure to UVB radiation. Therefore, the incidence and mortality of COVID-19 are also considered to be correlated with Vitamin D levels. In this study, Spearman and Kendall rank correlation analysis tests were used to analyze the correlation between the average percent positive of five human coronaviruses (SARS-CoV-2, CoVHKU1, CoVNL63, CoVOC43, and CoV229E) in the U.S. and the corresponding sunlight UV radiation dose The results indicated that the monthly average percent positive of four common coronaviruses was significantly negatively correlated with the sunlight UV radiation dose. The weekly percent positive of SARS-CoV-2 during April 17, 2020 to July 10, 2020 showed a significant negative correlation with the sunlight UV radiation dose in census regions 1 and 2 of the U.S. while no statistical significance in the other regions. Additionally, sunlight UV radiation also showed some negative effects with respect to the early SARS-CoV-2 transmission.

Bidirectional association between COVID-19 and the environment: A systematic review

“…Accordingly, it was found that the ultraviolet radiation caused a decrease in COVID-19 reported cases in São Paulo, Brazil. Among different wavelengths of ultraviolet light, the 200–260 nm range is able to damage pathogens RNA or DNA ( Tang et al, 2020 ). Another study indicates 90% the SARS-CoV-2 load can be inactivated after being exposed to the midday summer sunlight for 34 min ( Sagripanti and Lytle, 2020 ).…”

Investigating the Potential for Ultraviolet Light to Modulate Morbidity and Mortality From COVID-19: A Narrative Review and Update

“…Significant associations between higher UV Index and lower COVID-19 prevalence were observed in Japanese prefectures ( 39 ), and 33 cities in the USA ( 40 ). Some negative associations were also reported for reduced infection rates and increased ambient UV levels measured in 5 Brazilian cities (March–July 2020) ( 41 ) and selected counties of north-east and central-mid-west (census regions 1 and 2) of the USA (April–July 2020) ( 42 ).…”

A psychrometric model to assess the biological decay of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in aerosols

“…For example in temperate regions during the summer months, populations spend more time outdoors, as well as ventilating buildings to a greater extent ( RAMP Task 7 Members, 2020 ), both factors that tend to inhibit COVID-19. Likewise, viral degradation due to UV-B radiation in sunlight is greatly increased during the summer months ( Ratnesar-Shumate et al, 2020 ; Schuit et al, 2020 ; Tang et al, 2020 ), as are vitamin D levels due to exposure to sunlight ( Tang et al, 2020 ; Whittemore, 2020 ). Furthermore, the effect of low air temperatures and VP levels during winter on the respiratory tract should not be ignored.…”