The Relationship between Weather Conditions and COVID-19 Transmission and Deaths in Visegrád Countries

Since the end of December 2019, COVID-19 has become a worldwide issue, and its transmission and adverse effect on health and socioeconomics has become a global agenda for researchers and policymakers. Concerning this, findings argue that there is a relationship between weather conditions and COVID-19 cases and deaths. However, empirical findings on the relationship and impact of weather conditions and COVID-19 cases and deaths have been given little attention regarding Visegrád (V4) countries. Therefore, this study examines the relationship and impact of climate indicators on new COVID-19 cases and deaths for V4 countries using trend, correlation, and regression analysis. The study found that the average temperature and dew point have a negative and significant correlation with new cases and deaths of COVID-19 in V4 countries. Besides, the rise of both average temperature and dew point has a negative and significant impact on COVID-19 new cases and deaths in V4 countries. However, average humidity has a positive and significant correlation with new cases and deaths of COVID-19 in V4 countries. Moreover, the rise in humidity levels lead to an increase in new cases and deaths of COVID-19 in V4 countries.