Experts fear Aids relapse

Some experts say Covid-19 has derailed the fight against HIV, siphoning away resources and setting back a US campaign to end the Aids epidemic by 2030.

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the first report that brought Aids to the attention of the public. For a time, the battle against HIV — the virus that causes Aids — was going well.

But experts believe the US could soon see its first increase in infections in years. Internationally, recent strides could be undone because of Covid-19’s interruption of HIV testing and care.

Covid-19 has killed nearly 600,000 Americans in 16 months, approaching the 700,000 Americans that Aids killed over 40 years.