The level of vitamin D does not actually affect the likelihood of contracting COVID-19, a study published in the journal JAMA Network Open.

Vitamin D levels were below normal in about 65% of former coronavirus carriers, while nearly 29% of COVID-19 patients were severely deficient in vitamin D.

The analysis also showed that very low levels of the vitamin in the body were characteristic of patients with diabetes, obesity, hypertension, as well as smokers and those leading a sedentary lifestyle.

According to scientists, the results of observations cast doubt on theories that associate the unequal rate of spread of the virus in different countries of the world and individual states with local differences in the typical concentration of vitamin D in the body of local residents.