The reduction in influenza rates in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Influenza affects many lives worldwide each year during the months of October through February. The 2020-2021 influenza season saw a sharp decline in the cases reported in the United States and in other countries like Great Britain in comparison to previous influenza seasons. The most likely explanations for this decline are the safety measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as physical distancing, face mask use, and better hand hygiene in the mass population, which likely reduced the transmission and infection rates of influenza this season.

Key words: influenza, surveillance, pandemic, transmission