학술논문
Reduced spread of influenza and other respiratory viral infections during the COVID-19 pandemic in southern Puerto Rico.
Document Type
Article
Author
Source
Subject
*VIRUS diseases
*PANDEMICS
*COVID-19 pandemic
*INFLUENZA
*VIRAL transmission
*COVID-19
*STAY-at-home orders
*RESPIRATORY infections
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Language
ISSN
1932-6203
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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]