The Impact of COVID-19 on Antimicrobial Resistance in the United States

This transcript has been edited for clarity.

A recent report from CDC shows that the United States has lost progress combating antimicrobial resistance, due in large part to effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. In hospitals alone, antimicrobial-resistant infections and deaths both increased at least 15% in 2020 compared to 2019. Most of these infections are preventable. CDC has many resources for healthcare providers like you to help stop these increases, protect patients, and preserve the effectiveness of the antibiotics and antifungals we have today.

Hello. I'm Arjun Srinivasan, deputy director for program improvement in the Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. My CDC colleagues and I work to support your efforts to protect patients; protect healthcare personnel; and promote safety, quality, and value in both national and international healthcare delivery systems.

Many of us have worked alongside you during the COVID-19 pandemic and seen firsthand, or secondhand, not only the incredible challenges posed for patient care but also the heroic ways in which many of you stepped forward to care for those in need. The pandemic undoubtedly pushed providers, healthcare facilities, health departments, and communities near their breaking points. And while many facilities and systems have stabilized, we know that COVID-19 remains a major issue for healthcare delivery.