Can hot weather, like in Malaysia, stop coronavirus?

Countries from Malaysia, to Indonesia to Thailand the Philippines have recorded their highest rate of infections in recent days as testing has ramped up, in a sign seasonal factors may only play a limited role in coronavirus' spread. "The temperature theory doesn't really hold up given what's happening right now in much of Southeast Asia," said Tikki Pangestu, a professor at Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. "People in Europe hope warm weather will kill the virus. I doubt this will be the reality." (Picture shows customers wearing protective masks line up to pay at a supermarket in Malaysia yesterday. - Reuters)

SINGAPORE: A dramatic surge in coronavirus infections in Southeast Asia in recent days has increased doubts over a theory that warmer weather could stem the spread of the virus, health experts say.

Relatively low cases of infections in many Southeast Asian countries had been cited as possible evidence that hotter weather was suppressing the virus, giving hope to Europe and the United States as they head into spring.