Researchers Warn That Respiratory Diseases Has Higher Rate Than Coronavirus During Winter

Researchers warn that more non-COVID-19 respiratory infections should be anticipated this winter. This is supported by a study published in The Lancet Regional Health-Europe, which revealed that more than 55% of respiratory disease hospitalizations during the pandemic's peak were brought on by infections other than SARS-CoV-2.

(Photo: khulan tsogerdene)
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Report on COVID-19 Cases in Winter

The University of Bristol-led study, part of AvonCAP, is the first to compare the number of hospitalizations from respiratory disease infections caused by COVID-19 and non-SARS-CoV-2 infections. It was funded and carried out in collaboration with Pfizer Inc.

Researchers identified 12,557 admissions attributable to acute lower respiratory tract disease (aLRTD) using data from 135,014 hospitalizations from two major hospitals in Bristol between August 2020 and November 2021. Patients were admitted with signs or symptoms of respiratory infections, such as cough, fever, pleurisy, or a clinical or radiological diagnosis of aLRTD. Of these, 12,248 (98%) patients, the majority of whom were senior citizens, agreed to participate in the study.

Further analysis revealed that only 26% (3,178) of respiratory infections were associated with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, which accounted for the remaining 55% (6,909) of the 12,248 hospitalizations for aLRTD. The remaining 216 cases, or 17%, were caused by infection without an infectious origin.

Adam Finn, Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Bristol, Director of the Bristol Vaccine Centre, and Director of Bristol Medical School, said that the findings show that despite significant public health measures, such as vaccination and non-pharmaceutical interventions like masks, there was still a high incidence of non-COVID-19 disease causing hospitalizations alongside COVID-19 patients, which is what is surprising about the results. Other infections didn't just disappear during this time.

Dr. Catherine Hyams, Post-Doctoral Clinical Research Fellow, Principal Investigator for the AvonCAP study, and one of the study's lead authors at the University of Bristol, said that the results highlight the enormous burden of respiratory infection on the NHS and other healthcare systems, as well as how bad things may get this winter. She said that care for patients with respiratory infections must be provided with the proper healthcare planning and resource allocation.

The study is a component of AvonCAP, an ongoing cooperative surveillance project funded by Pfizer Inc. that maintains thorough records on every adult patient admitted to Bristol's two main NHS hospitals.

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How to Stay Safe in COVID-19 During the Winter

The World Health Organization advises consistently applying the five pandemic stabilizers to keep people safe, especially this fall and winter. It includes increasing the general public's vaccination rate and giving immunocompromised individuals aged five and older, as well as their close contacts.

In addition, a second booster dose must be administered at least three months after the previous dose, and a second booster for particular at-risk groups must be given. People are also encouraged to wear masks inside and on public transportation. Air circulation in crowded places like public transportation, offices, and schools is required. Finally, strict therapeutic guidelines are applied to patients at high risk of serious illness.