New study finds COVID-19 more potent in humidity, but scientists are skeptical

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – The coronavirus can live in humid weather up to 23 times longer than non-humid weather, according to researchers from the University of Missouri.

Medium sized infected droplets–measured in terms of diameter in units called microns–live longest compared to smaller or larger ones, they say. Scientists published the report in Physics of Fluid.

News 8 spoke with Dr. Cole Beeler, medical director of Infection Prevention, IU Health University Hospital. He had a lot to say about this study and clarified what we really know so far about how weather affects the lifespan of COVID-19.

News 8’s medical reporter, Dr. Mary Elizabeth Gillis, D.Ed., is a classically trained medical physiologist and biobehavioral research scientist. She has been a health, medical and science reporter for over 5 years. Her work has appeared in national media outlets. You can follow her on Instagram @reportergillis and Facebook @DrMaryGillis.