Measuring the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Sexually Transmitted Diseases Public Health Surveillance and Program Operations in the State of California

Abstract

Background: As public health personnel and resources are redirected to COVID-19, sexually transmitted diseases (STD) programs have been unable to sustain pre-COVID-19 activities. Methods:We used California (CA) surveillance data to describe trends in case reporting for gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis of any stage in the pre-versus post-COVID-19 eras (January-June 2019 and January-June 2020). We also analyzed data from an electronic survey administered by the CA STD Control Branch to local health jurisdictions in April, June, and September of 2020, assessing the impact of COVID-19 on STD programs.Results: There were sharp declines in cases of all reportable bacterial STDs occurring in conjunction with the March 19, 2020 CA stay-at-home order, most of which did not return to baseline by July. Comparing January-June 2020 to January-June of 2019, there were decreases in reported cases of chlamydia (31%), late syphilis (19%), primary/secondary syphilis (15%), early nonprimary nonsecondary syphilis (14%), and gonorrhea (13%). The largest percentage declines in STD case reporting were among Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Black persons. Seventy-eight percent of local health jurisdiction respondents indicated that half or more of their workforce had been redeployed to COVID-19 by September 2020.Conclusions: During the COVID-19 era, STD case reporting and programmatic functions have diminished throughout CA. Because this may contribute to decreases or delays in STD diagnosis and treatment-with resultant increases in STD transmission-providers and public health officials should prepare for potential increases in STD-related morbidity in the months and years to come.

Impact of COVID-19 Lockdowns on Sexual Health Care Utilization and STD Reporting, Maricopa County

“… 12 , 14 Emerging evidence in Oregon, California, and Georgia is also consistent with the declines in STD reporting observed in this report. 15 - 17 Some researchers have documented starker declines in STD testing among asymptomatic clients when compared to symptomatic cases. 18 The findings in this study are consistent with this notion given the largest decrease in STD reporting was observed among chlamydial cases, which are largely detected through routine screenings.…”

A Retrospective Study of the Incidence of Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infection (Chlamydia and Gonorrhea) in the Mississippi Delta Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…However, there were decreases in STI testing between the pre-lockdown and lockdown periods [ 27 ]. Another study in California found a decrease in STI testing between the pre-COVID-19 (January-June 2019) and post-COVID-19 (January-June 2020) periods [ 24 ]. These studies have reported inconsistent results regarding the impact of COVID-19 on STI testing with different dates for comparisons, varying geographic differences, and differences in demographic compositions.…”

“…These studies have reported inconsistent results regarding the impact of COVID-19 on STI testing with different dates for comparisons, varying geographic differences, and differences in demographic compositions. It is imperative that additional studies have to be completed to investigate the potential impact of COVID-19 on STI testing further, especially in areas with high STI rates prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, i.e., the Mississippi Delta area [ 23 , 24 ].…”

“…Major efforts were employed to contain the spread of the disease, including sealing borders for international travels, wearing masks, practicing social distancing, etc. [ 22 , 24 ]. By July 1, 2020, the number of COVID-19 cases in Mississippi was 28,770 and increased to 493,670 cases by September 30, 2020 [ 24 ].…”

“…[ 22 , 24 ]. By July 1, 2020, the number of COVID-19 cases in Mississippi was 28,770 and increased to 493,670 cases by September 30, 2020 [ 24 ]. CDC reported that during the early months of the COVID-19, pandemic reports of STIs decreased due to disruptions in the healthcare system and STI testing services [ 23 , 24 ].…”