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COVID-19 mortality and environmental factors during wet and dry seasons in West and Southern AFrica
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  • Greg Jenkins,
  • Sandra Freire,
  • Evelyne N'datchoh Toure,
  • Demba Niang,
  • Mamadou Drame,
  • Joao Huvi,
  • Toluwalope Ogunro,
  • Moctar Camara
Greg Jenkins
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Sandra Freire
University of Cabo Verde
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Evelyne N'datchoh Toure
UNIVERSITY FELIX HOUPHOUET BOIGNY (UFHB-SSMT)
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Demba Niang
Laboratory of Atmospheric-Ocean Physics Simeon Fongang
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Mamadou Drame
Laboratory of Atmospheric-Ocean Physics Simeon Fongang
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Joao Huvi
University of Katyavala Bwila
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Toluwalope Ogunro
Lead City University
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Moctar Camara
University of Assane Seck Ziguinchor
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Abstract

SubSahara Africa has been the last continent to experience a significant number of cases in the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Several studies have suggested that air pollution is related to COVID-19 mortality; poor air quality has been linked to cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and respiratory disease, which are considered co-morbidities linked to COVID-19 death. We examine potential connections between country-wide COVID-19 mortality and environmental conditions in Senegal, Cabo Verde, Nigeria, Cote D’Ivoire, and Angola. We analyze PM2.5 concentrations from cost-effective in situ measurements, aerosol optical depth (AOD), and fire count from space-borne platforms during the dry season when dust and biomass burning aerosols are present in Southern Africa. In addition, we examine the COVID-19 mortality during the wet season using space-borne rain measurements to determine potential linkages which might occur as a result of time spent indoors and concurrent cases of flu, waterborne and vector-borne diseases in West Africa. Results are presented from March through December of 2020.