Worries mount that southern winter may tighten COVID-19’s grip
Is the coronavirus seasonal? That’s still unknown—but a grave concern for Brazil, with the Southern Hemisphere’s worst coronavirus toll.
SÃO PAULO, BRAZILInfluenza vaccination campaigns here have taken on added urgency this year. As the Brazilian state heads into its colder months, people brace for the fall and winter flu season. And by vaccinating as many people as possible against influenza, medical professionals hope they’ll be able to more quickly identify coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in patients who have symptoms common to both viruses.
That distinction could be crucial. Of the Southern Hemisphere’s nations, Brazil has the most confirmed cases and deaths caused by the novel coronavirus, and São Paulo has the most cases in the country as of April 16. Now, as temperatures start to drop across the region, questions are swirling about the possibility that the coronavirus could be seasonal and winter
