New Delhi: A new research by Harvard University in the US has claimed a correlation between long-term exposure to high levels of air pollution and COVID-19 mortality rates.

According to the study, COVID-19 patients in areas that have had a history of high levels of air pollution are more likely to succumb to the illness than those in states with relatively better air quality.

The study, carried out by Harvard University T.H. Chan School of Public Health's researchers, concluded that a small increase in long-term exposure to tiny particles in the air known as PM 2.5 could lead to a massive increase in COVID-19 death rate.

Speaking to IANS, D.J. Christopher who is the President of the Indian Chest Society said, "The report is disturbing as it appears that air pollution exposure could affect COVID-19 disease severity and death. I am deeply concerned about the cities of our nation with high pollution, especially New Delhi."

Dr. Christopher, who is also the professor of pulmonary medicine at CMC Vellore, further said that it will be great if such studies are conducted in India.

"But we may have to wait for more reports to come. We will then be able to see if the severity and the number of cases are more in polluted cities," he added.

To carry out the study, researchers at Harvard University accumulated data from approximately 3,000 counties in the United States up to April 4, 2020.

"We found that an increase of only 1 Ig/m3 in PM2.5 is associated with a 15 percent increase in the COVID-19 death rate."

The study's conclusions also stressed the importance of continuing to enforce existing air pollution regulations to protect human health both during and after the COVID-19 crisis.

Earlier this year, it was reported that 14 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities are in India. As the country enters Day 15 of the 21-day lockdown, COVID-19 cases stand at 5,194 with 149 deaths.