An independent survey on the number of asthma attacks reported during the pandemic, supported by an earlier research into the prevalence and severity of asthma attacks during the COVID-19, has found that contrary to the expectations, asthma attacks dropped during this period in Australia. 

The research on this, published in the journal Respirology, suggested that asthma patients have reduced ACE2 expression. Altered ACE2 expression in the lower airway may be an important factor in virus tropism and may in part explain susceptibility factors and why asthma patients are not over-represented in those with COVID-19 complications.  

The latest report by Dr Bruce Thompson, a Professor and Dean of the School of Health Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, however suggests that the other possible causes for this considerable reduction could be the lockdowns, social distancing and masking in place which reduced exposure to allergens and irritants. Similarly, flu numbers were also reportedly at an all time low during the pandemic owing to the widespread masking and social distancing. The study also pointed to the possibility of a large majority of asthma patients not seeking medical care due to fears of contracting Covid, although the results could be a mix of both.