Impact of nonpharmaceutical interventions on laboratory detections of influenza A and B in Canada. (Special Issue: Influenza and other respiratory viruses.)

Background: The first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case was reported in Canada on January 25, 2020 In response to the imminent outbreak, many provincial and territorial health authorities implemented nonpharmaceutical public health measures to curb the spread of disease "Social distancing" measures included restrictions on group gatherings;cancellation of sports, cultural and religious events and gatherings;recommended physical distancing between people;school and daycare closures;reductions in non-essential services;and closures of businesses Objectives: To evaluate the impact of the combined nonpharmaceutical interventions imposed in March 2020 on influenza A and B epidemiology by comparing national laboratory surveillance data from the intervention period with 9-year historical influenza season control data