Abrupt Subsidence of Seasonal Influenza after COVID-19 Outbreak, Hong Kong, China

Abstract

The onset of the 2019–20 winter influenza season in Hong Kong coincided with the emergence of the coronavirus disease epidemic in neighboring mainland China. After widespread adoption of large-scale social distancing interventions in response to the impending coronavirus disease outbreak, the influenza season ended abruptly with a decrease to a low trough.

Keywords

• coronavirus
• viruses
• severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
• SARS-CoV-2
• coronavirus disease
• respiratory infections