EU RESPONSE TO COVID-19 / Environment

Residents of polluted cities are more at risk from Covid-19, EPHA warns

Brussels, 17/03/2020 (Agence Europe)

TheEuropean Public Health Alliance (EPHA) warned on Monday 16 March that citizens living in polluted cities are at greater risk of severe pneumonia if they contract the new coronavirus.

EPHA points out that air pollution can cause hypertension, diabetes and respiratory disease, conditions that doctors are starting to link to higher mortality rates for Covid-19. A 2003 study of SARS coronavirus victims found that patients in areas with moderate air pollution are 84% more likely to die than...