EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AND COVID-19 TRANSMISSION IN SELANGOR, MALAYSIA

Abstract

The transmission and severity of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID -19) are related to environmental factors such as temperature and humidity. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between daily reported COVID -19 cases and environmental variables. In this study, we used data from October 2020 to October 2021. We used a Generalised Additive Model (GAM) to examine the short-term relationship between COVID -19 and environmental variables in Selangor, Malaysia, using daily meteorological components and daily confirmed COVID -19 cases. We discovered a significant inverse relationship between daily confirmed COVID -19 cases and mean temperature (Tave), relative humidity, wind speed, rainfall, and wind effect index (K), while temperature-humidity index (THI) was significantly associated with an increase in daily confirmed COVID -19 cases. The results of this study provide important insights into the impact that environmental factors may have on the transmission of COVID -19 and should be considered in the development of public health interventions in Selangor, Malaysia.