Lessons Learned From the COVID-19 Pandemic: Factors Affecting Decreased Incidence of Influenza.

INTRODUCTION

Our goal was to identify if the cases of influenza declined in the state of Wisconsin during the COVID-19 pandemic and, if so, what factors may have been responsible for this decline.

METHODS

Influenza rates during the 2018-2019 and 2020-2021 seasons were compared using data from Respiratory Virus Surveillance Reports from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

RESULTS

The number of cases and hospitalizations due to influenza decreased significantly during the 2020-2021 influenza season compared to the 2018-2019 season, although mortality rates increased during 2020-2021.

DISCUSSION: Reducing the burden of illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths due to influenza on the health care system is imperative. Taking the same preventive measures used during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as wearing masks, physical distancing, and frequent handwashing, should be advised, especially for the most vulnerable patient populations.