These Nordic countries have lower COVID-19 infection and death rates.
The northern latitude countries of Norway, Finland, and Sweden, have higher vitamin D levels despite less UVB sunlight exposure, because supplementation and fortification of foods is more common. These countries also experienced the highest infection and death rates in Europe. This study shows that, counter intuitively, countries at lower latitude and typically sunny countries, such as Spain and Northern Italy, had low concentrations of vitamin D and high rates of vitamin D deficiency. Many recent studies confirm the pivotal role of vitamin D in viral infections. Related: Vitamin D Linked to Low Coronavirus Death Rateīut vitamin D can also support the immune system through a number of immune pathways involved in fighting SARS-CoV-2.
