Impact of Covid-19 on Tuberculosis Prevention and Treatment in Canada: a multicentre analysis of 10,833 patients

We assessed the Covid-19 pandemic’s impact on treatment of latent tuberculosis, and of active tuberculosis, at three centres in Montreal and Toronto, using data from 10,833 patients (8685 with latent tuberculosis infection, 2148 with active tuberculosis). Observation periods prior to declarations of Covid-19 public health emergencies ranged from 219 to 744 weeks, and post-declarations, from 28 to 33 weeks. In the latter period, reductions in latent tuberculosis infection treatment initiation rates ranged from 30% to 66%. At two centres, active tuberculosis treatment rates fell by 16% and 29%. In Canada, cornerstone measures for tuberculosis elimination weakened during the Covid-19 pandemic.