Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

May 11, 2021

Decreases in Reported Sexually Transmitted Infections during the Time of COVID-19 in King County, WA

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  • Reported cases of gonorrhea and syphilis decreased by 5-22% in King County, Washington from January to July 2020 compared to January to July 2019. Mean weekly case counts of gonorrhea, male urethral gonorrhea, and early latent syphilis decreased during statewide lockdowns in late March, but returned to pre-lockdown levels after reopening in June. The authors note that decreases in reported STIs could reflect true declines in sexually transmitted infections, but they argued that larger decreases in asymptomatic infection compared to symptomatic disease (for example, a steeper decline in early latent syphilis versus primary and secondary syphilis)  suggests that observed declines are more likely due to decreased screening.

Berzkalns et al. (May 6, 2021). Decreases in Reported Sexually Transmitted Infections during the Time of COVID-19 in King County, WA. Sexually Transmitted Diseases. https://doi.org/10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001463