Change on the Circulation of Respiratory Viruses and Pediatric Healthcare Utilization during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Asturias, Northern Spain.

Abstract

(1) Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and the implementation of restrictions and nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) changed the trends in respiratory viral circulation and the pattern in pediatric healthcare utilization; (2) Methods: A retrospective, multicenter observational study designed to analyze the impact of the pandemic on pediatric healthcare utilization and the viral circulation pattern in children in a region in Northern Spain was carried out. Viral diagnostics data from all nasal or pharyngeal swabs collected in children in Asturias during the periods of March 2018–September 2019 and March 2020–September 2021 were analyzed, as well as the number of pediatric hospitalizations and emergency visits; (3) Results: A total of 14,640 samples were collected during the pandemic period. Of these, at least one respiratory virus was detected in 2940 (20.1%) while 5568/10,298 samples were positive in the pre-pandemic period (54.1%); p < 0.001. The detection of both enveloped and non-enveloped viruses decreased among periods (p < 0.001). After week 14, 2020, enveloped viruses were no longer detected until one year later, while non-enveloped viruses continued to be detected in children. Overall, a mean of 4946.8 (95% CI 4519.1–5374.4) pediatric emergency visits per month during the period 2018–2019 as compared to 2496.5 (95% CI 2086.4–2906.5) for 2020–2021 occurred (p < 0.001). The mean of pediatric hospitalizations also significantly decreased between periods, as follows: 346.6 (95% CI 313–380.2) in 2018–2019 vs. 161.1 (95% CI 138.4–183.8); p < 0.001; (4) Conclusions: Our study showed a remarkably reduction in pediatric hospitalizations and emergency visits and a change in the pattern of viral circulation during the COVID-19 pandemic in Asturias. The usual seasonal respiratory viruses, namely influenza or RSV were nearly absent in the pediatric population during the pandemic.