The COVID-19 pandemic caused major decreases in hepatitis C virus testing and treatment, hindering efforts to meet WHO goals for 2030, according to a study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

The study demonstrated that, when compared with 2018 and 2019, HCV antibody testing volume decreased 59% during April 2020 and rebounded to a 6% reduction in July. Additionally, they found that the number of HCV RNA-positive results fell by 62% in March 2020 and remained 39% below the baseline by July 2020. The study showed that prescriptions for HCV treatments also decreased 43% in May, 37% in June and 38% July, relative to the corresponding months in 2018 and 2019.

Learn more about the study at Healio, or read the full text in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine here.