ABSTRACT
The study is the first attempt to assess the role of climatic predictors in the rise of COVID-19 intensity in the Russian climatic region. The study used the Random Forest algorithm to understand the underlying associations and monthly scenarios. The results show that temperature seasonality (29.2 ± 0.9%) has the highest contribution for COVID-19 transmission in the humid continental region. In comparison, the diurnal temperature range (26.8 ± 0.4%) and temperature seasonality (14.6 ± 0.8%) had the highest impacts in the sub-arctic region. Our results also show that September and October have favorable climatic conditions for the COVID-19 spread in the sub-arctic and humid continental regions, respectively. From June to August, the high favorable zone for the spread of the disease will shift towards the sub-arctic region from the humid continental region. The study suggests that the government should implement strict measures for these months to prevent the second wave of COVID-19 outbreak in Russia.
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Highlights
First study assessing the influence of climatic variables on COVID-19 spread in Russia
Temperature seasonality influence COVID-19 spread in humid continental Russia
Temperature (diurnal range and seasonality) are influential in sub-arctic Russia
Proposed maps for climate-response interventions to control the spread
June and October climatic conditions found to be favorable for the spread of COVID-19 in Sub-arctic and humid continental Russia
Supplementary material
Supplemental data for this article can be accessed here.
Correction Statement
This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.