COVID-19 and the decline in UTI diagnosis
Another worrying trend is emerging from the Covid-19 pandemic. With less people visiting primary care, including for urinary tract infections, meaning fewer requests for urine samples to be handed in to practices on first UTI presentation for culture.
The report by British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy is attached, which details the declining numbers of UTI diagnosis and the possible impact on Antimicrobial Resistance.
The weekly rate of UTI diagnosis per 100,000 population dropped substantially from a 5-year average of 30 to 35 to less than 10 between 30 March and 24 April 2020.
Since April, the rate has risen to no higher than 50% of its usual rate.