The agency warns that increases in temperature and humidity during the summer season "will not by themselves control the transmission of covid-19, without other control measures." And so offers recommendations to follow during heat waves. The first of all, continue to wear the mask in all places. This has become mandatory in enclosed public places for people over 11 years old.
If it is tempting to use fans or air conditioners to cool down, their misuse could increase the risk of diffusion of respiratory droplets. For the agency, fans should be avoided in the absence of masks, because they stir the air and spread the virus, making the safety distance between people "inoperative". Santé Publique France recommends drying the air and the surfaces of the room by natural ventilation for 15 minutes, at least 3 times a day. As for air conditioners, they significantly reduce the viral load in the room only if they are "equipped with efficient and properly maintained filters".
The agency Santé Publique France warns about the increased risk of severe pathologies in elderly people, living in precarious housing. For these people, recommendations are to be expected. Good hydration and the possibility of accessing cool places with limited population should be provided, such as swimming pools or shopping centers. The agency recommends offering temporary cool accommodations "to limit the impact of the heat.
