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. 2022 Jan;28(1):62-68.
doi: 10.3201/eid2801.211099.

Effects of Nonpharmaceutical COVID-19 Interventions on Pediatric Hospitalizations for Other Respiratory Virus Infections, Hong Kong

Susan S Chiu, Benjamin J Cowling, J S Malik Peiris, Eunice L Y Chan, Wilfred H S Wong, Kwok Piu Lee

Effects of Nonpharmaceutical COVID-19 Interventions on Pediatric Hospitalizations for Other Respiratory Virus Infections, Hong Kong

Susan S Chiu et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2022 Jan.

Abstract

To determine the effects of nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) for coronavirus disease on pediatric hospitalizations for infection with respiratory viruses other than severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, we analyzed hospital data for 2017-2021. Compared with 2017-2019, age-specific hospitalization rates associated with respiratory viruses greatly decreased in 2020, when NPIs were in place. Also when NPIs were in place, rates of hospitalization decreased among children of all ages for infection with influenza A and B viruses, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, parainfluenza viruses, human metapneumovirus, and rhinovirus/enterovirus. Regression models adjusted for age and seasonality indicated that hospitalization rates for acute febrile illness/respiratory symptoms of any cause were reduced by 76% and by 85%-99% for hospitalization for infection with these viruses. NPIs in Hong Kong were clearly associated with reduced pediatric hospitalizations for respiratory viruses; implementing NPIs and reopening schools were associated with only a small increase in hospitalizations for rhinovirus/enterovirus infections.

Keywords: 2019 novel coronavirus disease; COVID-19; Hong Kong; SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus disease; nonpharmaceutical interventions; pandemic; pediatrics; respiratory infections; respiratory virus hospitalization; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; viruses; zoonoses.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Acute hospitalization pediatric admissions for fever/respiratory symptoms at Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital and Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong Island, China, and timeline of major interventions implemented by the government in response to COVID-19 in Hong Kong. COVID-19, coronavirus disease; WFH, work from home.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Pediatric hospitalizations for acute fever/respiratory symptoms and detection rates for respiratory viruses at Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital and Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong Island, China, 2017–2021.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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