Impact of Heat Index and Ultraviolet Index on COVID-19 in Major Cities of Pakistan

Introduction: The world population is under the grip of global pandemic of COVID-19. The present study analyzed relationship between meteorological parameters and COVID-19 in three major cities of Pakistan, that is, Karachi, Lahore, and Peshawar. Methods: The impacts of heat index (HI) and ultraviolet index (UVI) over daily COVID-19 cases have examined to identify its transmission and propagation. The significance of basic reproductive number (R-0), growth rate (G(r)) and doubling time (T-d) of COVID-19 with HI and UVI was determined. Results: Both indices show a significant positive correlation (at 5% significance level) to R-0, T-d, and G(r) of COVID-19 patients. Our results showed that the minimum threshold temperature of 33 degrees C for HI (with a positive variation of 3 degrees C to 5 degrees C) put a significant impact on new cases. Conclusion: HI and UVI impacted significantly to decline COVID-19 cases over the region.