U.K. Lockdown Has “Broken HIV Chain”
Lockdown in the U.K. has led to a huge reduction in new STI cases, and sexual health advocates are calling for a “broken HIV chain”; a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Since people are hooking up less during the pandemic lockdown, London-based sexual health service 56 Dean Street says “HIV transmissions have plummeted”.
56 Dean Street’s David Stuart shared through his Twitter account that “Fewer hook-ups since lockdown has resulted in a huge reduction of HIV and other STIs. It's broken a chain of onward infections that's been relentless & consistent for decades; this gives us an unprecedented opportunity - to literally interrupt an epidemic (or two.)”
According to ‘Forbes’, the organisation is now urging people, gay and bi men in particular, to order home testing kits.
“COVID-19 presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity in the fight against HIV. In the last few weeks, HIV transmission has dropped dramatically,” they wrote on their website.
“Because there are less people having sex in London, less people are catching HIV. What’s more, when someone first catches the virus, they are super infectious and more likely to pass on HIV than normal.
“But because there aren’t many super infectious people around, this has reduced transmission even further.
Concluding with the strong message that: “We may never have this opportunity again.”
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