The coronavirus death toll has quickly surged beyond 10,000 globally, with the number of infected cases fast approaching a quarter-of-a-million. China, where COVID-19 is thought to have originated from, had dominated these numbers over recent weeks, and so far has confirmed nearly 81,000 cases and 3,248 deaths. The oubreak appears to be slowing considerably, with just 39 new cases and three additional deaths over the past 24 hours, although Chinese authorities are bracing themselves for a huge second wave of coronavirus infections.
In Europe, Italy has dominated the numbers, and on Thursday reported 427 more deaths, overtaking China for the first time, in a sign the country is struggling to contain the virus, despite the strict measures being imposed by the Government.
But a new chart has now added further evidence to where the virus is spreading at its quickest, and we may not have seen the worst of it just yet.
Various studies have revealed COVID-19 spreads quickest in areas where average temperatures range from 5-11 degrees and humidity of 47-79 percent.
This brings several huge countries and economic powerhouses into play, and it’s no surprise China is one of them.
The US – where all 51 states have reported coronavirus cases – is among the most at risk – as President Donald Trump desperately attempts to bring the outbreak under control.
Virtually all of Europe is acting as a hotbed for coronavirus, with average temperatures for this time of year falling into the 5-11 degree bracket.
This of course includes the UK, with daily figures from the NHS and Government so far revealing an alarming surge in the number of confirmed cases and deaths in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
On Thursday, the UK reported 643 new cases and 44 deaths in just a 24-hour period, with these totals surging to 3,269 and 144 respectively.
Boris Johnson and his Government are desperately trying to get coronavirus under control, imposing strict social distancing measures, including advising people to work from home whenever possible, whilst urging them to avoid visiting busy locations such as pubs, restaurants and clubs.
But modelling from the Government and Public Health England has indicated that while the number of new cases each day will grow slowly, the number of infections will spike dramatically.
This comes back to climate and temperature change, meaning Britain will lie at the centre of the danger zone until at least the end of April.
If temperatures and humidity follow a similar patter to last year over coming weeks, the UK could worrying present the perfect breeding ground for the virus.
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But as temperatures begin to increase, coronavirus could die out and be pushed into winter in the southern hemisphere, bringing practically all of Africa, South America, parts of southern Asia and Australia into play.
Last week, England’s Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty said he does not expect coronavirus to peak in the UK for another 10-14 weeks.
The Department of Health has warned the UK will likely experience its coronavirus peak in around three months, when 95 percent of the infections are expected to occur.
This means most people will contract the virus between late May and June.
But on Thursday, Mr Johnson was still bullish in the UK’s determination to beat coronavirus quickly, and vowed it will be “sent packing” in just 12 weeks.
He told a daily press conference: “I do think looking at it all we can turn the tide within the next 12 weeks.
“And I’m absolutely confident that we can send coronavirus packing but only if we take the steps – we all take the steps – that we have outlined.”
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