Abstract
Residents of nursing homes have been significantly affected by COVID-19 in Spain. The factors that have contributed to the vulnerability of this population are very diverse. In this study, physical agents, chemical pollutants, population density and different capacities of residences were analysed to understand their influence on the number of elderly people who have died in geriatric centres in different autonomous communities (AACCs) of Spain. A statistical analysis was carried out on the variables observed. The results show that many residences with a larger number of deaths were private, with some exceptions. Physical agents and pollutants were found to be determining factors, especially for the communities of Extremadura and Castilla–La Mancha, although the large number of factors involved makes this study complicated. The compromise between air quality and energy efficiency is of great importance, especially when human health is at stake.
Highlights
IntroductionIn developed countries, 80–90% of people’s time is spent indoors [1], especially in their homes
Have Favoured a High Number ofToday, in developed countries, 80–90% of people’s time is spent indoors [1], especially in their homes
A cluster or conglomerate analysis was carried out to determine the relationship between the nursing homes and the autonomous communities under study
Summary
In developed countries, 80–90% of people’s time is spent indoors [1], especially in their homes. The indoor environment of the home should facilitate rest and recovery [4,5]; as poor indoor air quality (IAQ) has harmful effects on health, it prevents these beneficial effects from being realised. A relationship between air movement in buildings due to ventilation and the spread of infectious diseases has been demonstrated [7,8]. In this context, the benefits of indoor air exchange have been confirmed, the influence of ventilation on the spread of infectious diseases is not clear [6]. Since the influence of airflow rates on health has not been quantified, the ventilation rates specified in different regulations are usually set according to comfort criteria (perceived conditions) [9,10,11,12]
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