Antibiotic use as part of COVID-19 treatment can lead to increased antibiotic resistance in the general population, Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy reported.

Antibiotics are powerless against viral infections, including coronavirus, but COVID-19 patients are usually given a combination of antibiotics to prevent possible secondary bacterial infections. However, research from the University of Plymouth and Royal Cornwall Hospital suggests that increased use of antibiotics during a pandemic could add a burden to wastewater treatment work.

The article says this could lead to higher levels of antibiotics in rivers or coastal waters, which in turn could exacerbate the issue of antimicrobial resistance.