Jurnal internasional afrika vol.10 issue 4 2020
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Impact of lockdown measures implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic on the burden of trauma presentations to a regional emergency department in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa

Jurnal internasional afrika vol.10 issue 4 2020
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Impact of lockdown measures implemented during the Covid-19 pandemic on the burden of trauma presentations to a regional emergency department in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa

Covid-19
Coronavirus
Trauma
Lockdown
Motor vehicle accidents
Interpersonal violence

Introduction: The Covid-19 pandemic triggered unprecedented nationwide regulations aimed primarily at
slowing the spread of the virus. The objective of this study was to describe the effect of these regulations on the
number and severity of trauma presentations to a regional emergency department in Kwa-Zulu Natal.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study of the triage register at Edendale Hospital Emergency Department was
conducted, comparing all trauma presentations in the month of April 2020 with those from the preceding two
years. The number of patients, mechanism of trauma and severity of illness were recorded and compared.
Results: A 47% reduction in the number of trauma cases was recorded for April 2020. The proportion of severe
cases did not change. The categories showing a major decrease were motor vehicle accidents, pedestrian vehicle
accidents, assault and gunshot wounds. The incidence of dog bite wounds and burns remained unchanged.
Conclusion: This study shows that the burden of trauma presenting to the emergency department was decreased
in the month of April 2020 by the regulations implemented in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

David Morris, Megan Rogers, Nicole Kissmer, Anzanne Du Preez, Nicholas Dufourq

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.afjem.2020.06.005

11 June 2020

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