ABSTRACT
In recent times, the COVID-19 pandemic has been the subject of global concern. It has so far claimed over 5.4 million lives globally, with over 291 million cases recorded worldwide as of 5 January 2022. It is known to have different waves and variants, thus making it difficult to handle/manage. This study investigates the impact of the first and second waves of COVID-19 in Nigeria, West Africa. The data used is for the 36 states of Nigeria archived at the National Centre for Disease Control from February 2020 to April 2021. Results from the study reveal that the highest number of COVID-19 cases during the first/second wave was recorded at Lagos (23,238/34,616), followed by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) (6,770/12,911) and alternates between Plateau (3,858/5,170) and Kaduna (3,064/5,908). Similarly, the highest number of deaths (during the first/second wave) was also recorded in Lagos (220/219), followed by Edo (112/73), and then FCT (83/81). The Case Fatality Ratio (CFR) was observed to be higher mostly in northern Nigeria during the first wave and the southeast during the second wave of the pandemic. On the average, the number of cases/deaths recorded during the second wave was higher than those of the first wave, but a decrease in the CFR values was observed during the second wave. Higher values of COVID-19 cases/death were mostly recorded in Nigeria during; maximum relative humidity (RH) (>70%) with minimum Temperatures (<25°C), Low temperatures, and low RH which is mostly observed during the cold/dusty periods.
ABSTRACT
Several approaches have been used in the race against time to mitigate the spread and impact of COVID-19. In this study, we investigated the role of temperature, relative humidity, and particulate matter in the spread of COVID-19 cases within two densely populated cities of South Africa-Pretoria and Cape Town. The role of different levels of COVID-19 restrictions in the air pollution levels, obtained from the Purple Air Network, of the two cities were also considered. Our results suggest that 26.73% and 43.66% reduction in PM2.5 levels were observed in Cape Town and Pretoria respectively for no lockdown (Level 0) to the strictest lockdown level (Level 5). Furthermore, our results showed a significant relationship between particulate matter and COVID-19 in the two cities. Particulate matter was found to be a good predictor, based on the significance of causality test, of COVID-19 cases in Pretoria with a lag of 7 days and more. This suggests that the effect of particulate matter on the number of cases can be felt after 7 days and beyond in Pretoria.
ABSTRACT
Several approaches have been used in the race against time to mitigate the spread and impact of COVID‐19. In this study, we investigated the role of temperature, relative humidity, and particulate matter in the spread of COVID‐19 cases within two densely populated cities of South Africa—Pretoria and Cape Town. The role of different levels of COVID‐19 restrictions in the air pollution levels, obtained from the Purple Air Network, of the two cities were also considered. Our results suggest that 26.73% and 43.66% reduction in PM2.5 levels were observed in Cape Town and Pretoria respectively for no lockdown (Level 0) to the strictest lockdown level (Level 5). Furthermore, our results showed a significant relationship between particulate matter and COVID‐19 in the two cities. Particulate matter was found to be a good predictor, based on the significance of causality test, of COVID‐19 cases in Pretoria with a lag of 7 days and more. This suggests that the effect of particulate matter on the number of cases can be felt after 7 days and beyond in Pretoria. Key Points Levels of particulate matter within two cities are modulated by COVID‐19 restrictions Empirical assessment of the interaction between COVID‐19 and particulate matter yields a complex relationship Local climate and human activities affect the influence of temperature, relative humidity, and particulate matter on COVID‐19 cases