Potential Indirect Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Use of Emergency Departments for Acute Life-Threatening Conditions — United States, January–May 2020

• DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6925e2
• Publication Date: 2020-06-22T14:14:47Z
• Authors: Samantha J. Lange; Matthew D. Ritchey; Alyson B. Goodman; Taylor Dias; Evelyn Twentyman; Jennifer Fuld; Laura A. Schieve; Giuseppina Impera...; Stephen R. Benoit; Aaron Kite-Powell; Zachary Stein; Georgina Peacock; Nicole F. Dowling; Peter A. Briss; Karen Hacker; Adi V. Gundlapalli; Quanhe Yang
• Keywords: Pandemic; 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak

On March 13, 2020, the United States declared a national emergency in response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Subsequently, states enacted stay-at-home orders slow spread of SARS-CoV-2, virus that causes COVID-19, and reduce burden on U.S. health care system. CDC* Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)† recommended systems prioritize urgent visits delay elective mitigate COVID-19 settings. By May syndromic surveillance data found department (ED) had declined 42% during early months pandemic (1). This report describes trends ED three acute life-threatening conditions (myocardial infarction [MI, also known as heart attack], stroke, hyperglycemic crisis), immediately before after declaration emergency. These represent events always necessitate immediate care, even public such In 10 weeks following (March 15-May 23, 2020), 23% MI, 20% 10% crisis, compared with preceding 10-week period (January 5-March 14, 2020). EDs play critical role diagnosing treating might result serious disability or death. Persons experiencing signs symptoms illness, severe chest pain, sudden partial loss motor function, altered mental state, extreme hyperglycemia, other issues, should seek regardless Clear, frequent, highly visible communication from professionals is needed reinforce importance timely medical emergencies assure are implementing infection prevention control guidelines help ensure safety their patients personnel.