The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Pleural Infection incidence: a UK multicentre retrospective analysis

The fall in non-COVID-19 respiratory viruses, including seasonal influenza, during the pandemic is well reported [1–4]. It is thought to be a result of a combination of social distancing, lockdowns, improved hand hygiene and potentially virus-virus interactions and cross-protection impacting population dynamics. However, as vaccines weaken the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, clinicians remain vigilant for a potential resurgence of other respiratory pathogens and the implications of an ongoing rise in new SARS-CoV-2 variants.