Dermatologists uncovered the link between hair loss and coronavirus severity by analysing data from 2,000 British men in hospital.

Results showed a fifth of men with no hair tested positive for the virus in hospital — compared to 15 per cent of those who had a full head of hair.

Because the men tested positive in hospital, it indicates they had a severe form of Covid-19. But patient outcomes were not revealed to confirm the claim.

The study — not the first to stumble across the bizarre link — said other risk factors for Covid-19, such as diabetes and age, did not explain the gap.