The Challenges Confronting Countries in the Tropics Affected by Covid-19

Abstract

Compared with other regions of the world, countries in the Tropics appear to have less Covid-19 cases and lower death rates. Warmer temperatures and higher humidity have been proposed as an explanation. An alternative interpretation is that the figures result from a lack of aggressive testing. Regardless of the cause, this paper suggests that the way in which governments respond to the pandemic has a significant impact on containing the pandemic. Additionally, pressing challenges for countries in the Tropics are a lack of water and sanitation, insufficient personal protective equipment, and inadequate training of clinical staff. Suggestions for moving forward are proposed.