Notes from the Field: Effects of the COVID-19 Response on Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Efforts — United States, March–April 2020

Tuberculosis in times of COVID-19

“…A report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Division of Tuberculosis Elimination found that among 50 TB programmes in the USA, 60% experienced a partial or high impact on TB staffing capacity for outreach (including contact investigations). 45 Contact tracing initiatives are some of the more labour and resource-intensive strategies for both TB and COVID-19. Unless proper resource allocation guidelines are in place that simultaneously address the needs of both TB and COVID-19, one disease will become deprioritised, as is currently the case for TB.…”

Impact of COVID-19 on Tuberculosis Control

“… 7 , 8 COVID-19 pandemic response, particularly containment measures, reassignment of health care personnel and equipment are affecting TB prevention and care programs. 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 After the first three months of the pandemic, a survey was sent to 165 countries, of which 42% reported partial disruptions in TB case detection and treatment. 3 A study conducted in 33 centres in 16 countries on five continents reported that during confinement 82% of centres showed reductions in TB-associated hospital discharges, 84% of centres reported a decrease in newly diagnosed active TB cases, 95% showed a decrease newly LTBI outpatient visits, and 75% and 81% of centres showed reductions in TB and LTBI outpatient visits, respectively.…”

Coinfection of SARS-CoV-2 and MTB: how not to miss the wood for the trees

“…Several authors across the globe have reported the effect of ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on TB services. These include transfer of TB services for COVID-19 use, 4 significant reduction in TB notification rates with the surge of COVID-19 5 and considerable disruption in TB services both in primary care settings in the field as well as hospital settings. 6 The overwhelming nature of the pandemic has rendered many hospitals busy in handling on July 18, 2021 by guest.…”