Spread COVID-19 during Godzilla African dust in June 2020 on the Colombian Caribbean region

BOLAÑO-ORTIZ, TOMÁS R.; CONSTANTE-BALLESTAS, JELAINE I.; PULIAFITO, S. ENRIQUE; VÉLEZ-PEREIRA, ANDRÉS M.; TOVAR-BERNAL, FREDY A.; CAMARGO-CAICEDO, YINIVA

Atmospheric Pollution Research

Elsevier B.V.

Año: 2023 vol. 14

1309-1042

Recent studies show that aerosols are highly linked to the spread of the COVID−19 pandemic. Furthermore, during this pandemic, the largest Saharan dust intrusion event has reached the Caribbean region in the last 20 years, called “Godzilla” African Dust or GAD. This study aims to analyze the correlation between the spread of COVID−19 and the GAD event in the main cities of the Colombian Caribbean region. The results showed a positive correlation between the spread of COVID−19 and the GAD event in most cities. Our findings could serve as input for the development of a strategy in the prevention of COVID−19 and other similar viral diseases during the Saharan dust intrusion events that reach the Caribbean region each year from Africa. Our results may help design strategies to prevent future outbreaks of COVID-19 and reduce the risk of future pandemics of similar viral diseases. Especially during the Saharan dust intrusion events that reach the Caribbean region each year.