Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

June 8, 2021

Reporting of Infectious Diseases in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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  • Analysis of CDC surveillance data showed an increase in COVID-19 cases that coincided with a decrease in weekly reporting of other infectious diseases. Between 2019 and 2020, reporting of respiratory diseases declined by 51%, injection drug use-associated diseases by 47%, vector borne disease by 44%, and food/waterborne disease by 40%. Reporting of sexually transmitted diseases only declined by 10% but accounted for the largest proportion of the total difference among all reported cases (64%). Decreased reporting was observed in the majority of states (14% median decline among total cases). The authors note that they could not differentiate between a true decline in disease versus a decline in reported cases.

Crane et al. (June 7, 2021). Reporting of Infectious Diseases in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Clinical Infectious Diseases. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciab529