Sunlight ultraviolet radiation dose is negatively correlated with the percent positive of SARS-CoV-2 and four other common human coronaviruses in the U.S

Abstract

Human coronaviruses are RNA viruses that are sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Sunlight contains UVA (320-400 nm), UVB (260-320 nm) and UVC (200-260 nm) action spectra. UVC can inactivate coronaviruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The incidence and mortality of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are considered to be correlated with vitamin D levels. Vitamin D synthesis in human skin is closely related to exposure to UVB radiation. Therefore, the incidence and mortality of COVID-19 are also considered to be correlated with Vitamin D levels. In this study, Spearman and Kendall rank correlation analysis tests were used to analyze the correlation between the average percent positive of five human coronaviruses (SARS-CoV-2, CoVHKU1, CoVNL63, CoVOC43, and CoV229E) in the U.S. and the corresponding sunlight UV radiation dose The results indicated that the monthly average percent positive of four common coronaviruses was significantly negatively correlated with the sunlight UV radiation dose. The weekly percent positive of SARS-CoV-2 during April 17, 2020 to July 10, 2020 showed a significant negative correlation with the sunlight UV radiation dose in census regions 1 and 2 of the U.S. while no statistical significance in the other regions. Additionally, sunlight UV radiation also showed some negative effects with respect to the early SARS-CoV-2 transmission.

Keywords: COVID-19; Correlation; Human coronaviruses; Sunlight UV radiation.

Graphical abstract

Fig. 1

Division of the U.S. into different census regions, as suggested by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Fig. 2

Geographical locations of the 24 selected counties in the U.S.

Fig. 3

The monthly average percent positive of four common human coronaviruses (CoVHKU1, CoVNL63, CoVOC43, and CoV229E) and the corresponding monthly total sunlight erythemal UV dose in the four census regions of the U.S.

Fig. 4

The total number of COVID-19 confirmed cases from April 17, 2020 to July 10, 2020 in the four census regions of the U.S.

Fig. 5

The weekly average percent positive of SARS-CoV-2 and the corresponding weekly total sunlight erythemal UV dose in the four census regions of the U.S.

Fig. 6

The R_average values at the different generation intervals (Δg selected as 5, 6, and 7 days) and the corresponding total sunlight erythemal UV doses (11-, 13-, and 15-day durations, respectively).

Fig. S1

The monthly average percent positive of four common human coronaviruses (CoVHKU1, CoVNL63, CoVOC43, and CoV229E) and the corresponding monthly total sunlight vitamin D UV dose in four census regions of the U.S.

Fig. S2

The monthly average percent positive of four common human coronaviruses (CoVHKU1, CoVNL63, CoVOC43, and CoV229E) and the corresponding monthly total sunlight DNA-damage UV dose in four census regions of the U.S.

Fig. S3

The weekly average percent positive of the SARS-CoV-2 and the corresponding weekly total sunlight erythemal UV dose in five countries in the Southern Hemisphere with severe outbreaks (South Africa, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, and Peru).