Increased exposure to the Sun’s rays, specifically UVA, can be a simple public health intervention to prevent fatality rates from Covid-19.
The Sun’s UV light is made up of 95 percent of the Ultraviolet UVA rays that can penetrate more deeply into the skin.
A study published in the British Journal of Dermatology has revealed that people living in areas with the highest level of exposure to UVA rays had a lower risk of death from Covid-19 as compared to those with lower levels.
The researchers also found that sunnier areas are associated with fewer deaths from the deadly virus.
In England and Italy, the analysis was repeated with the same results.
However, the researchers from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland said, the reduction in death risk could not be explained by higher levels of vitamin D.
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, according to findings in some lab studies, they noted.
Earlier studies have established the link between increased sunlight exposure and improved cardiovascular health, with lower blood pressure and fewer heart attacks. As heart disease is a known risk factor for fatality rate from Coronavirus 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. It is not possible to establish cause and effect due to the observational nature of the study.
The researchers said it may lead to interventions that could be tested as potential treatments.
