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Decrease in Positivity Rate of Influenza Tests Coinciding With Outbreak of SARS-CoV-2: Data From a Southeastern
Siddhartha Singh1, Nathan A Ledeboer2, Purushottam W Laud3
1Collaborative for Healthcare Delivery Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, ssingh@mcw.edu.
WMJ : Official Publication of the State Medical Society of Wisconsin
|January 11, 2021
Summary
The COVID-19 outbreak altered the 2019-2020 influenza season. Influenza testing increased, while positivity rates dropped to zero earlier than in prior years.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- The emergence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) led to significant public health measures and behavioral shifts.
- These changes may have impacted the typical patterns observed during the 2019-2020 influenza season.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the effect of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak on the 2019-2020 influenza season.
- To compare influenza testing and positivity rates during the outbreak period with previous seasons.
Main Methods:
- Utilized laboratory data from southeastern Wisconsin.
- Compared weekly influenza test volumes and positivity rates for the 2019-2020 season against the preceding four seasons.
Main Results:
- Influenza testing volumes were higher at the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak compared to the 4-year average.
- Influenza positivity rates decreased to 0% earlier in the 2019-2020 season than in any of the previous four seasons.
Conclusions:
- The trajectory of influenza testing and positivity rates diverged during the 2019-2020 season when SARS-CoV-2 emerged.
- Findings highlight the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on concurrent respiratory virus seasons.