Introduction: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic initiated the implementation of numerous disease mitigation strategies aimed to prevent transmission of the SARS-CoV-2. Given the similarity in mode of transmission, we posit that these strategies have also had a collateral benefit in minimizing the transmission of influenza during the 2020 to 2021 season in California.
Methods: Five years of data including incidence of influenza-like illness (ILI), influenza hospitalization, and mortality related to influenza in California were analyzed.
Results: In each of these parameters, there was a marked decrease in influenza activity, suggesting the additional benefit of COVID-19 mitigation strategies on influenza prevention.
Discussion: Further study is recommended to determine which specific variables had greater impact on transmission of respiratory viruses, and therefore can be utilized to prevent future outbreaks of respiratory illness.
Keywords: COVID-19; California; Influenza; Pandemics; SARS-CoV-2.
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