How Will COVID-19 Influence the Hidden Threat of Antibiotic Resistance?

The novel coronavirus pandemic has become the defining challenge of our time, affecting many (if not all) areas of our lives at both the individual and social levels. Much has been said about the impact of COVID-19 on the global economy and the psychological consequences of this most unusual situation. But what about the other public health challenges we face? In particular, what impact will COVID-19 have on antibiotic resistance?

Infections caused by treatment-resistant bacteria are currently one of the greatest threats to public health. As the World Health Organisation (WHO) first declared in 2016—and has reminded us ever since—tackling this issue will require the commitment of all nations. Unfortunately, although it is still too early to gauge its full impact, the new SARS-CoV-2 virus appears to be exacerbating the problem of antibiotic resistance. But what evidence points to this conclusion?