UCalgary finds COVID patients receiving antibiotics worsened global antimicrobial resistance

Because COVID-19 symptoms can be hard to distinguish from pneumonia and other bacterial infections, many patients were prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotics. The study found the common hospital practice may be acting as a catalyst to increase global antimicrobial resistance (AMR.) A total of 29% of study participants were infected with drug resistant organisms. The findings suggest that levels of antimicrobial resistance are increasing in hospital patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Scientists say there's a need for a better understanding of AMR in COVID patients and for better surveillance and infection prevention. They conclude there's a need to increase investing in understanding viral diagnostics to prevent unnecessary antibiotic treatments