the STD epidemic is getting worse; SARS-CoV-2 surged in hospitals

The number of reported cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis in the United States increased between 2020 and 2021, according to CDC data.

According to a press release from David C. Harvey, MSW, who leads the National Coalition of STD Directors, the outbreak “is a rapidly deteriorating public health crisis at a dangerous time. STI rates will continue to rise unless we take drastic action.

It was the biggest story in infectious diseases last week.

Another front-page story covered a study that found rising rates of SARS-CoV-2 in hospitals after universal testing ended in Scotland and England.

Read these articles and more about infectious diseases below:

STD epidemic continues to worsen, CDC says

Final surveillance data released by the CDC confirmed that reported cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis increased between 2020 and 2021 in the United States, totaling more than 2.5 million. Learn more.

SARS-CoV-2 surged in hospitals after universal testing ended

New cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection in hospital have overtaken community-onset cases after England and Scotland stopped requiring hospitals to test asymptomatic patients at admission, researchers reported. Learn more.

VIDEO: CDC launches project to prevent hospital infections

In this video, Susan E. Coffin, MD, MPHattending physician and hospital epidemiologist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, talks about a new project aimed at improving the prevention of nosocomial infections. Watch the video.

Hospitals that kept control measures in place saw fewer MRSA during the pandemic

Veterans Affairs facilities that chose not to suspend active surveillance and contact precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic reported fewer healthcare-associated MRSA infections, particularly in intensive care units, found the researchers. Learn more.

Adults with long-term COVID more likely to report unmet health care needs

In a survey, about one in five people diagnosed with COVID-19 reported symptoms of long COVID, and many of those patients described difficulty accessing or paying for health care. Learn more.