Impacts of Meteorological Parameters on COVID-19 Transmission Trends in the Central Part of Thailand

This study investigates the complex correlation between air pollution, meteorological factors, and daily COVID-19 cases in central Thailand. The arithmetic means and standard deviations of trace gaseous species, meteorological factors, daily COVID-19 incidence, and PM 2.5 concentrations are displayed. Univariate analysis, using Pearson correlation, shows strong positive relationships with daily COVID-19 incidence and O 3 , consistent with global studies. Previous research has found negative connections between the daily average levels of PM 2.5 and NO 2 with O 3 . This study investigates the mechanism of the interaction between O 3 and NO x , with a particular focus on its termination under specific atmospheric circumstances and the subsequent negative correlations between O 3 and NO 2 . A Multiple Linear Regression Analysis (MLRA) is performed, which shows significant positive MLRA coefficients for O 3 in different areas of Thailand during the COVID-19 lockdown. The significant decreases in NO 2 and other air pollution emissions are associated with substantial improvements in ground-level O 3 . The rise in O 3 levels is linked to an increase in the atmosphere’s ability to oxidize, resulting in the formation of secondary aerosols. This has consequences for human respiratory health and might potentially contribute to a rise in COVID-19 cases and deaths. The existence of positive associations between ground-level O 3 and COVID-19 infections is recognized, taking into account the detrimental impact on respiratory health. Nevertheless, the study prudently acknowledges that a correlation between variables does not necessarily indicate a cause-and-effect relationship. It emphasizes the presence of other influential factors such as population density, healthcare infrastructure, public health initiatives, and socioeconomic determinants that may obfuscate the results. To summarize, the study offers valuable understanding of the intricate relationships among air contaminants, meteorological circumstances, and the occurrence of COVID-19 in Thailand. This highlights the possible influence of ground-level O 3 on respiratory well-being and indicates the necessity for further research to clarify any direct correlation with COVID-19 infection.