Background The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in implementation of public health measures worldwide to mitigate disease spread, including; travel restrictions, lockdowns, messaging on handwashing, use of face coverings and physical distancing. As the pandemic progresses, exceptional decreases in seasonal respiratory viruses are increasingly reported. We aimed to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on laboratory confirmed detection of seasonal non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory viruses in Canada. Methods Epidemiologic data were obtained from the Canadian Respiratory Virus Detection Surveillance System. Weekly data from the week ending 30 th August 2014 until the week ending the 13 th March 2021 were analysed. We compared trends in laboratory detection and test volumes during the 2020/2021 season with pre-pandemic seasons from 2014 to 2019. Findings We observed a dramatically lower percentage of tests positive for all seasonal respiratory viruses during 2020-2021 compared to pre-pandemic seasons. For influenza A and B the percent positive decreased to 0•0015 and 0•0028 times that of pre-pandemic levels respectively and for RSV, the percent positive dropped to 0•0169 times that of pre-pandemic levels. Ongoing detection of enterovirus/rhinovirus occurred, with regional variation in the epidemic patterns and intensity. Interpretation We report an effective absence of the annual seasonal epidemic of most seasonal respiratory viruses in 2020/2021. This dramatic decrease is likely related to implementation of multi-layered public health measures during the pandemic. The impact of such measures may have relevance for public health practice in mitigating seasonal respiratory virus epidemics and for informing responses to future respiratory virus pandemics. Funding No additional funding source was required for this study.

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Objective: This study aims to capture perspectives of healthcare workers (HCWs) on COVID-19 and infection prevention and control (IPAC) measures implemented during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Design: A cross-sectional survey of HCWs was conducted. Participants: HCWs from the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada. Intervention: A self-administered survey was distributed to HCWs. We analyzed factors influencing HCWs’ knowledge and self-reported use of personal protective equipment (PPE), concerns of contracting COVID-19 and acceptance of the recommended IPAC precautions for COVID-19. Results: A total of 175 HCWs (35 (20%) staff physicians, 24 (14%) residents or fellows, 72 (41%) nurses, 14 (8%) respiratory therapists, 14 (8%) administration staff and 14 (8%) other employees) completed the survey between March 6th and March 10th. Most of the respondents were from the emergency department (n=58; 33%) and the Intensive Care Unit (n=58; 33%). Eighty-six respondents (50%) identified the correct donning order. Only 60 (35%) identified the correct doffing order, but the majority (n=113, 70%) indicated the need to wash their hands immediately prior to removal of their mask and eye protection. Ninety-one (54%) respondents felt comfortable with recommendations for droplet/contact precautions for routine care of patients with COVID-19. HCWs’ occupation and concerns about contracting COVID-19 outside of work were associated with non-acceptance of the recommendation (p = 0.016 and p=0.036 respectively). Conclusion: As part of their pandemic response plans, healthcare institutions should have ongoing trainings for HCWs that focus on appropriate PPE doffing and discussions around modes of transmission of COVID-19.