Significant Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Care in Hospitals Affecting the First Pillar of the HIV Care Continuum

Abstract

During COVID-19 lockdown, the in-hospital number of HIV indicator conditions decreased disproportionally compared to other non-COVID-19 diseases which was accompanied by reduced HIV testing rates, number and proportion of positive HIV tests, and new HIV referrals with more late presentation after lockdown cessation, indicating a significantly impacted HIV care continuum.

PrEP Use in Times of COVID-19 in the Netherlands: Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM) on PrEP Test Less for HIV and Renal Functioning During a COVID-19 Related Lockdown

“…This reduction is particularly remarkable because of the high testing rates of the participants in this cohort before the COVID-19 pandemic (92.0% and 80.9% completed testing for HIV and renal functioning in the past 3 months respectively). Other studies conducted in the Netherlands have found similar reductions in testing for HIV and STIs [ 6 , 11 , 21 ]. Xiridou et al conducted a modeling study on the effect of decreased testing among MSM in the Netherlands, during the pandemic [ 18 ].…”

“…Disruptions of HIV treatment and prevention due to the pandemic have been reported along the prevention cascade [ 2 , 21 ]. During the first lockdown measures (13th of March to 31st of May 2020), essential healthcare was prioritized.…”

“…The substantial reduction in test services at sexual health centers during the COVID-19 pandemic are expected to have an effect on both the transmission and diagnosis of HIV and other STIs [ 2 , 18 , 23 ]. A study conducted in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, found a reduction in the number of HIV tests completed, lower positivity rates, and an increase in late presentation to clinical care [ 21 ]. Similar trends are described for prevention [ 5 , 6 , 11 ].…”

Unified European support framework to sustain the HIV cascade of care for people living with HIV including in displaced populations of war-struck Ukraine

“…2 The care for HIV and comorbidities has been further affected by interrupted services because of the COVID-19 pandemic. [16][17][18] Now, the escalation of war in Ukraine jeopardises HIV and AIDS care and drastically disrupts HIV care services. 19,20 As united European HIV experts, including the European AIDS Clinical Society (EACS) and EACS Young Investigators (YING), we state that the full-scale Russian invasion has destabilised the European continent and is an unacceptable threat to the care for people with HIV in Ukraine.…”

Cohort profile: the Netherlands Cohort Study on Acute HIV infection (NOVA), a prospective cohort study of people with acute or early HIV infection who immediately initiate HIV treatment

“…On average, approximately 30 participants have been enrolled each year, with the exception of 2020, during which HIV testing, diagnosis and NOVA enrolment was strongly reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 49 Median duration of follow-up is 2.4 (IQR 1.4-3.1) years. The distribution of participants among Fiebig stages is as follows: Fiebig I, 3 (2.1%); II, 20 (14.3%); III, 7 (5.0%); IV, 49 (35.0%); V, 39 (27.9%); VI, 22 (15.7%).…”