Increased exposure to sunlight may lower Covid deaths: Study

Ultraviolet UVA rays make up 95 per cent of the Sun's UV light and can penetrate more deeply into the skin.

London: Increased exposure to the Sun’s rays, specifically UVA, can be a simple public health intervention to prevent mortality rates from Covid-19, say researchers, who found that sunnier areas are associated with fewer deaths from the deadly virus.

Ultraviolet UVA rays make up 95 per cent of the Sun’s UV light and can penetrate more deeply into the skin.

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People living in areas with the highest level of exposure to UVA rays had a lower risk of death from Covid-19 compared to those with lower levels, revealed the study published in the British Journal of Dermatology.

The analysis was repeated in England and Italy with the same results.

However, the reduction in death risk could not be explained by higher levels of vitamin D, said researchers from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland.

But nitric oxide released by the skin due to sunlight exposure could be a reason as this can likely reduce the ability of SARS CoV2, the virus causing Covid-19, to replicate, as has been found in some lab studies, they noted.

Previous studies have established the link between increased sunlight exposure and improved cardiovascular health, with lower blood pressure and fewer heart attacks. With heart disease being a known risk factor for mortality rate from Covid-19, this could also explain the latest findings.

The team compared all recorded deaths from Covid-19 in the US from January to April 2020 with UV levels for 2,474 US counties for the same time period.

Due to the observational nature of the study, it is not possible to establish cause and effect. However, it may lead to interventions that could be tested as potential treatments, the researchers said.