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COVID-19

COVID-19 Pandemic Significantly Impacts Infectious Diseases in German Hospitals

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The COVID-19 pandemic has been extensively studied, but new research from Philipps-Universitat Marburg sheds light on its impact on hospitals in Germany. According to the study, the pandemic and associated public health measures significantly affected the occurrence of infectious diseases in hospitals, particularly community-transmissible infections. The research analyzed surveillance data from Marburg University Hospital from January 2019 to June 2021 and correlated it with control measures in hospitals and the general population. The findings indicate that the pandemic led to a significant decrease in the detection rates of various pathogens, including norovirus, rotavirus, and adenovirus.

Key Takeaways:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the occurrence of infectious diseases in hospitals in Germany, particularly community-transmissible infections.
  • The pandemic led to a significant decrease in the detection rates of various pathogens, including norovirus, rotavirus, and adenovirus.
  • The massive drop in norovirus infections was significantly affected by the onset of the pandemic, with a decline of up to 89% observed.
  • Similar effects were observed for rotavirus (up to -98%) and adenovirus infections (up to -90%).
  • The COVID-19 pandemic and associated public health measures had a significant impact on infectious diseases and the detection of pathogens at the Marburg University Hospital.
  • No significant effects on pathogens primarily associated with nosocomial transmission were detected.

Statistics:

  • 89% decline in norovirus infections detected during the pandemic.
  • Up to 98% decline in rotavirus infections detected during the pandemic.
  • Up to 90% decline in adenovirus infections detected during the pandemic.
  • 11% increase in hospital occupancy rates in the county of Marburg-Biedenkopf from January 2019 to June 2021.
  • Medical and long-term care facilities in Germany implemented intensified infection control measures in 2020.

Sources:

  • Influence of public health and infection control interventions during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic on the in-hospital epidemiology of pathogens: in hospital versus community circulating pathogens. Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control, 2022,11(1):1-7.
  • Philipps-Universitat Marburg. Reports from Philipps-Universitat Marburg Highlight Recent Research in COVID-19. Gastroenterology Week. November 28, 2022; p 624.

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