Trends in respiratory virus infections during the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore, 2020

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to the world. Many jurisdictions implemented control measures, such as border closures, lockdowns, school and business closures, travel restrictions, mask wearing, and social distancing. This was associated with changes in the prevalence of other respiratory viruses, predominantly influenza viruses1,2 but others as well.3 Singapore represents a unique setting that is credited with having a successful COVID-19 response. It went through different response phases, from prelockdown (pandemic level 3) to a full lockdown (known as circuit breaker), followed by a phased reopening, during which schools and businesses reopened but social distancing measures and universal mask wearing remained in place (eTable in the Supplement). Our aim in this study was to assess the associated changes in respiratory virus prevalence in 2020 compared with the prepandemic year 2019.