Preliminary indications of the burden of COVID-19 among people who inject drugs in England and Northern Ireland and the impact on access to health and harm reduction services

The aim of the study was to describe impact severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic on people who inject drugs (PWID) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This is a cross-sectional Unlinked Anonymous Monitoring (UAM) Survey PWID. People had ever injected psychoactive were recruited UAM by specialist drug/alcohol services From June 2020, addition providing dried blood spot sample completing behavioural questionnaire, participants asked complete an enhanced disease 2019 (COVID-19) questionnaire. Preliminary data are presented end October compared with from Survey, where possible. Between October, 288 PWID England One nine (11%; 29/260) reported testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Fifteen percent (26/169) injecting more frequently 2020 than 2019; cocaine injection preceding four weeks increased 17% (242/1456) 25% (33/130). five (19%; 35/188) difficulties accessing HIV hepatitis testing, one (26%; 47/179) equipment safer injecting. Our preliminary findings suggest that have experienced negative impacts health, behaviours access essential harm reduction, treatment owing pandemic. Continued monitoring through surveillance research needed understand subsequent blood-borne virus transmission this population health inequalities.