Scientists at the Desert Research Institute found that coronavirus infection rates increased disproportionately during wildfire season in 2020.
CARSON CITY, Nev. — Nevada-based scientists argue in a new study that wildfire smoke may increase the risk of contracting the coronavirus.
In a paper in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology, Desert Research Institute Assistant Research Scientist Daniel Kiser and four co-authors note the test positivity rate in Washoe County increased significantly during periods when monitors measured high levels of particulate matter in the air from wildfire smoke.
Kiser said the study was observational and noted that the uptick could be attributed to other factors, like last year’s second surge, students returning to schools or changes in local restrictions. But he said momentary upticks during periods of high pollution suggested a connection between smoke and the spread of the virus.
The authors argued that the association between wildfire smoke and the coronavirus likely suggested pollution made people more prone to viruses more broadly.
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