Viruses causing COVID-19 and Influenza are both members of the coronavirus family, and spread through mucus droplets from infected people. They both appear to respond positively to face-covering, and social-distancing. And we may have Influenza at a historic low from COVID-19 at a time the latter is surging. So how low is ‘low’ at this point in time, and why?
Significant Drop in Influenza at Historic Low from COVID-19
The information we have is from Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and relates to the United States. But we know there are also similar trends in Australia, Chile, and South Africa. CDC ascribes this drop in U.S. Influenza cases to ‘widespread adoption of community mitigation measures, to reduce transmission of COVID-19′. Evidence to hand confirms positive respiratory samples for influenza are down from >20% to 2.3% in September 2020.
This comes at a time Americans are taking greater precautions to prevent airborne viral transmissions. It’s also great news for the healthcare industry that has its hands full with COVID-19. However, this does not mean we have absolute proof of why this is happening.
Why Can’t We Be Sure This Is Down to COVID-19 Precautions?
We may have influenza at an historic low from COVID-19, but there are limiting factors to what this means. First, there is no direct proof of causality, and secondly international travel is down. Thirdly, COVID-19 may be interfering with Influenza spread. And finally we could just be observing a natural cycle in Influenza seasons.
However, what we do know is Influenza is declining in many other parts of the world. The acid test will be when COVID-19 cases start dropping after we have a successful vaccine. Until then, we can enjoy having our old enemy Influenza at a historic low from COVID-19, for whatever the reason. Keep warm this winter, take care out there and do what you can to limit the spread.
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Preview Image: Seasonal Influenza
