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Initial public health guidance related to sex and COVID infection focused on reducing partner number. We characterized individuals having a higher partner number during the initial phases of the pandemic. We conducted an e-mail survey of existing sexual health service clients during the period of July 23 to August 4, Our study provides support for a harm reduction approach to guidance on COVID risk during sex, and highlights the need for further research on stigma related to having sex during the COVID pandemic.
While there is no direct evidence of sexual transmission of SARS-CoV-2, infection may be acquired during sexual encounters through exposure to sex partners with infection. Accordingly, many agencies released recommendations to reduce the risk of COVID transmission through sex, with early messaging focused on reducing sexual partner number. However, the extent to which these sexual behaviour changes persisted beyond March—May was less well described.
This was particularly relevant as in many countries, COVID case counts had decreased, societal restrictions were progressively lifted, and concern about COVID may have eased, leading to increased population mixing—and potentially, increases in numbers of sexual partners Rodriguez, Also, around this time, many jurisdictions including BC BC Centre for Disease Control, b shifted to a more sex-positive and harm reduction approach to guidance, recognizing the importance of sex for well-being, and inclusive of measures to reduce risk of COVID infection during casual or transactional sex, often following the lead of community-based organizations ACT, However, the extent to which risk reduction measures to reduce COVID risk have been taken up had not yet been well described.
