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

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.