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

PLoS One. 2022 Apr 27;17(4):e0266095. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0266095. eCollection 2022.

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.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Influenza, Human* / epidemiology
  • Influenza, Human* / prevention & control
  • Pandemics / prevention & control
  • Puerto Rico / epidemiology
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human*
  • Viruses*