AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria says areas where pollution is high are likely to see a high number of COVID-19 cases. Data suggests that air pollution causes a more severe infection because air pollution causes inflammation of the lungs and decreases immunity. Delhi's third wave of COVID-19 could be worse than the first two, he said. Long-term exposure to air pollution and breathing polluted air for a long period of time affects the lungs and a secondary infection can cause severe disease and have long-term implications. Dr Guleria says people should avoid going to areas where air quality is bad. It is safer to step out when the sun is out as that reduces ground-level pollution.
