Smoke from wildfires could be the cause of some COVID cases and deaths in the West

[ad_1]

Thousands of COVID-19 cases and hundreds of deaths have tested positive for the coronavirus in California, Oregon and Washington last year, according to a new study. There is sex.

Harvard University researchers estimated there were 20,000 additional COVID-19 infections and 750 deaths associated with exposure to smoke from wildfires in western states between March and December 2020 … New York Times Report. A study published last week in the journal Science AdvancesIs the first person to show a statistical association between smoke from wildfires and COVID-19 cases and deaths.

Particulate matter (PM 2.5) is one of the smallest but most dangerous pollutants. Exposure to PM2.5, especially from forest fires, can lead to many health complications, including asthma, heart disease, chronic bronchitis, and other respiratory illnesses. These are all underlying conditions that make people vulnerable to COVID-19.

“Particulate air pollution could be an additional tool for the virus to spread faster,” said study co-author, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health Biostatistics, Population. And Francesca Dominici, professor of data science, said. Told CNN ..

“Given the increased risk of Delta cases [variant] And we already have a forest fire, which will be worrying, ”she said.

Researchers at Harvard University studied 92 counties in California, Oregon and Washington that were affected by the wildfire last year. Using satellite images of the blaze and public data on COVID-19 cases and deaths in three states, the researchers firmly said that in most of the counties studied, the more smoke, the more smoke there was, the more COVID-. I found there was some evidence. 19 cases and deaths.

The results of this study add to existing evidence on the relationship between air pollution and respiratory infections and conditions.

“These results provide strong evidence that in many counties, high levels of PM2.5 during the 2020 wildfire significantly exacerbated the health burden of COVID-19. The author writes.

Stay on top of the latest LA news, food and culture. Sign up for our newsletter now.

Wildfire smoke could be the cause of some COVID cases and deaths in the West Source link Wildfire smoke could be the cause of some COVID cases and deaths in the West

[ad_2]