Health expert explains why getting 10 minutes of sunshine every day could help against coronavirus

An Australian health expert has revealed that stepping out in the sun for just 10 minutes per day can greatly reduce the risk of dying with COVID-19.

Skin cancer researcher Dr Rachel Neale said that having low levels of vitamin D, which the skin produces when exposed to sunlight, increases your chance of getting a respiratory infection – which can be fatal if one also has the coronavirus.

‘Now, more than ever, is not the time to be vitamin D deficient,’ Dr Neale told The Australian.

Beachgoers soak up the sun at Bondi Beach, which could greatly reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19. Higher levels of vitamin D can increase ones resilience against the virus

Doctor Rachel Neale (pictured) said on Tuesday that having low levels of vitamin D, which the skin produces when exposed to sunlight, increases your vulnerability to the virus

‘It would make sense that being vitamin D deficient would increase the risk of having symptomatic COVID-19 and potentially having worse symptoms. And that’s because vitamin D seems to have important effects on the immune system.’

Last year, Dr Neale found that people with low levels of vitamin D are almost twice as likely as those with high levels of vitamin D of developing acute respiratory infections.

According to the study of 78,000 patients, people with vitamin D deficiencies were more likely to be sicker for longer.

Dr Neale said she sits in the Brisbane sun for for five to 10 minutes everyday to stimulate her body’s production of vitamin D.

She recommended Sydneysiders should get 10-15 minutes of midday sun while Melburnians should aim for a little longer due to the colder climate.

People go for a walk at Mistral point on ANZAC Day. Dr Neale recommended people in Brisbane get 5 to 10 minutes of midday Sun, Sydneysiders get 10 to 15 minutes and Melbourne get slightly more due to colder climate

The doctor does not take vitamin D tablets as she believes time in the sun provides more benefits – but accepts they are useful for people who can’t leave their home.

COVID-19 lockdown laws in Australia allow people to leave the house for exercise, during which time they can get a healthy dose of vitamin D.

As of Tuesday, there have been 6,728 cases of coronavirus in the country, which have resulted in 84 deaths.