Increased imported severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria involving hyperparasitaemia (>10%) in a UK hospital following relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions compared to the pre-pandemic period.

We identified and compared patients diagnosed with Plasmodium falciparum malaria at a large hospital in London, UK prior to the COVID-19 pandemic versus following relaxation of COVID-19-associated restrictions. We found that parasitaemias, rates of hyperparasitaemia and severe malaria were significantly higher in the period post-relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions.