Impact of meteorological variations and preventive policy measures on the spread and mortality of COVID-19 in European countries

ABSTRACT

The present study examined the impact of meteorological variations and preventive policy measures on the spread and mortality of COVID-19 in ten European countries. The results from negative binomial regression indicated that the average period of high death count is characterised with low average temperature and confirmed that respiratory infections are enhanced during cold and low humidity conditions. The role of suggested and implemented preventive measures by the respective governments showed the effectiveness of all the measures taken to reduce the probability of mortality. Nonetheless, the effect of educational institutes' closure remained significantly higher than other preventive measures. The study suggested less exposure to low temperature and smart lockdowns to avoid deaths during the predicted waves of COVID-19.