Impact of sandstorm and carnival celebrations on SARS-CoV-2 spreading in Tenerife and Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain)

Laura Tomaino; Jaime Pinilla; Silvia Rodríguez-Mireles; Beatriz González López-Valcárcel; Patricia Barber-Pérez; Antonio Sierra; Carlo La Vecchia; Lluís Serra-Majem

Gaceta Sanitaria (Nov 2021)

Impact of sandstorm and carnival celebrations on SARS-CoV-2 spreading in Tenerife and Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain)

Laura Tomaino,
Jaime Pinilla,
Silvia Rodríguez-Mireles,
Beatriz González López-Valcárcel,
Patricia Barber-Pérez,
Antonio Sierra,
Carlo La Vecchia,
Lluís Serra-Majem

Affiliations

Laura Tomaino: Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain; Department of Clinical and Community Sciences (DISCCO), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; COVIDCAN, COVID-19 Study and Analysis Group, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
Jaime Pinilla: COVIDCAN, COVID-19 Study and Analysis Group, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain; Department of Quantitative Methods in Economics and Management, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
Silvia Rodríguez-Mireles: COVIDCAN, COVID-19 Study and Analysis Group, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain; Admission and Clinical Documentation Service, Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Dr. Negrín, Canary Health Service, Las Palmas, Spain
Beatriz González López-Valcárcel: COVIDCAN, COVID-19 Study and Analysis Group, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain; Department of Quantitative Methods in Economics and Management, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain; Scientific Advisory Group of the COVID-19 Committee of the Government of the Canary Islands, Las Palmas, Spain
Patricia Barber-Pérez: COVIDCAN, COVID-19 Study and Analysis Group, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain; Department of Quantitative Methods in Economics and Management, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
Antonio Sierra: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of La Laguna, La Laguna, La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
Carlo La Vecchia: Department of Clinical and Community Sciences (DISCCO), Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
Lluís Serra-Majem: Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain; COVIDCAN, COVID-19 Study and Analysis Group, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain; Scientific Advisory Group of the COVID-19 Committee of the Government of the Canary Islands, Las Palmas, Spain; Preventive Medicine Service, Centro Hospitalario Universitario Insular Materno Infantil (CHUIMI), Canary Health Service, Las Palmas, Spain; Corresponding author.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 35, no. 6
pp. 565 – 568

Abstract

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Objective: We address the hypothesis that the extraordinary sandstorm occurred on 22-24 February 2020 might have a role in the different cumulated incidence of COVID-19 cases between the islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria, since it obliged to reduce significantly air traffic and forced to suspend all major carnival street events in all most locations. Method: We performed a retrospective analysis of COVID-19 cases as to 1 April 2020 according to symptoms onset, weather-related data and Carnival events in Tenerife and Gran Canaria. Results: The sandstorm occurred on February 22-24, 2020, forced air traffic to close, reducing the influx of tourists to the Canary Islands and suspending carnival events in most places, except in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Cumulated incidence as to 1 April was 132.81/100,000 in Tenerife, and 56.04/100,000 in Gran Canaria. Conclusions: The suspension of Carnival events due to the sandstorm in the Canary Islands contributed to reduce differently the SARS-CoV-2 spread in Tenerife and Gran Canaria. Resumen: Objetivo: Investigar la hipótesis de que la extraordinaria tormenta de arena ocurrida el 22-24 de febrero de 2020 pudo tener un papel en la diferente incidencia acumulada de casos de COVID-19 entre las islas de Tenerife y Gran Canaria, en cuanto conllevó una reducción significativa del tráfico aéreo y la cancelación de las mayores celebraciones del carnaval en muchas poblaciones. Método: Se realiza un análisis retrospectivo de los casos de COVID-19 hasta el 1 abril de 2020 según fecha de inicio de los síntomas, de los datos climáticos y de las celebraciones de carnaval en Tenerife y Gran Canaria. Resultados: La tormenta de arena ocurrida el 22-24 de febrero de 2020 obligó a cerrar el tráfico aéreo, reduciendo la llegada de turistas a Canarias, y a suspender las celebraciones de los carnavales en muchas poblaciones, excepto en Santa Cruz de Tenerife. El 1 abril de 2020, la incidencia acumulada de casos era de 132,81/100.000 en Tenerife y de 56,04/100.000 en Gran Canaria. Conclusiones: La cancelación de las celebraciones de carnaval debido a la tempestad de arena en las Islas Canarias parece que contribuyó de manera diferente a la reducción de la incidencia del SARS-CoV-2 en Tenerife y Gran Canaria.

Published in Gaceta Sanitaria

ISSN: 0213-9111 (Print); 1578-1283 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Spain
LCC subjects: Medicine: Public aspects of medicine
Website: http://www.gacetasanitaria.org/es/

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