Changes in the Pathogenic Spectrum of Acute Respiratory Tract Infections During the COVID-19 Epidemic in Beijing, China

Abstract

Background: Public health measures against COVID-19 may influence other disease epidemics. Many countries have reported significant reductions in influenza activity in 2020–2021, but the prevalence of other respiratory pathogens during the COVID-19 pandemic has rarely been reported, especially in China.Methods: Data from the Respiratory Pathogen Surveillance System in Beijing were analyzed to compare pathogen infection rates before the COVID-19 (from 1 February 2015 to 31 January 2020) and during the COVID-19 (from 1 February 2020 to 31 January 2021).Findings: Among 41630 acute respiratory tract infections 13630 had at least one pathogen positive result, which decreased from 32·16% (95% CI 31·69%, 32·64%) before the COVID-19 to 10·97% (95% CI 10·03%, 11·96%) during the COVID-19, representing a 65·90% decrease (PInterpretation: The prevalence of respiratory pathogens decreased significantly during the COVID-19, closely relating to public health measures against COVID-19; these measures can serve as useful strategies for the prevention and control of other respiratory tract infections.Funding Statement: The National Major Science and Technology Project for Control and Prevention of Major Infectious Diseases in China (2017ZX10103004).Declaration of Interests: FH received funds from the National Major Science and Technology Project for Control and Prevention of Major Infectious Diseases in China (2017ZX10103004). All other authors declare no competing interests.Ethics Approval Statement: Ethics approval for the protocol of this study was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the BJCDC. Written informed consent was obtained.