Reduced spread of influenza and other respiratory viral infections during the COVID-19 pandemic in southern Puerto Rico

Abstract

Introduction Impacts of COVID-19 mitigation measures on seasonal respiratory viruses is unknown in sub-tropical climates. Methods We compared weekly testing and test-positivity of respiratory infections in the 2019–2020 respiratory season to the 2012–2018 seasons in southern Puerto Rico using Wilcoxon signed rank tests. Results Compared to the average for the 2012–2018 seasons, test-positivity was significantly lower for Influenza A (p<0.001) & B (p<0.001), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (p<0.01), respiratory adenovirus (AdV) (p<0.05), and other respiratory viruses (p<0.001) following March 2020 COVID-19 stay at home orders. Conclusions Mitigation measures and behavioral social distancing choices may have reduced respiratory viral spread in southern Puerto Rico.

Did children’s symptoms and infections decline during the COVID-19 pandemic? A comparison of parental reports before and during the pandemic from a birth cohort study in New Hampshire, USA

“… 8 9 The agreement between health provider usage data across a range of settings and children’s caregiver reports of infections and symptoms involving a doctor’s visit as described here, suggests that the decline in infections in children during the pandemic is not fully explained by a reduction in health-seeking behaviour but arises from reduced exposure to other viruses. 16 However, we cannot rule out a reluctance among caregivers to seek medical care during the pandemic due to a fear of increasing their exposure to the virus. We are unable to assess this with the current data.…”

Sentinel Enhanced Dengue Surveillance System — Puerto Rico, 2012–2022

“…Findings from this report align with recent research on the impact of the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, which led to a substantial reduction in the circulation of other acute respiratory viruses ( 70 ). Previous analyses conducted using data from SEDSS during the 2019–2020 respiratory virus season revealed a considerable reduction in the test positivity of IAV, IBV, RSV, HAdV, and other respiratory viruses following the implementation of COVID-19 stay-at-home orders ( 71 ). The reductions in test positivity persisted even after the initial impact of COVID-19 mitigation measures, indicating a sustained effect on the transmission of respiratory infections.…”