Study Finds COVID-19 Pandemic Had Differential Effect On Established Pattern, Incidence Of Respiratory Illnesses

Infectious Disease Advisor (10/4, Basilio) reported, “The COVID-19 pandemic has had a differential effect on the established pattern, incidence, seasonality, and characteristics of several major respiratory illnesses, according to findings of a longitudinal cohort study.” Researchers found that “during the pandemic period, the most frequently identified virus across all age groups was rhinovirus, with an incidence rate of 31.3 per 100 person-years.” Even though “SARS-CoV-2 was identified more frequently than” human coronaviruses “in this period, the incidence of both infections was similar across age groups (9.9 vs 8.03 per 100 person-years, respectively).” The findings were published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases.