Close X
Saturday, November 23, 2024
ADVT 
Health

ER visits down 25 per cent in early 2020: report

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 24 Aug, 2020 07:16 PM
  • ER visits down 25 per cent in early 2020: report

A new report finds emergency department visits dropped by 25 per cent in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Canadian Institute for Health Information found 318,000 fewer visits took place in March 2020, compared to March 2019.

The drop was even more pronounced in the last week of March, when visits dropped by 49 per cent. This coincided with travel restrictions and the closure of schools and daycares across much of Canada.

The largest reduction in visits was among less urgent patients, down 29 per cent across Canada.

But seriously ill or injured patients, such as those who required resuscitation, were also down by 14 per cent.

Analysts say the numbers confirm anecdotal reports that there have been fewer emergency hospital visits for issues other than COVID-19.

"When we compare to last year, it's clear that many Canadians avoided visiting emergency departments in the initial weeks of the pandemic, which may have had serious consequences for some patients," Greg Webster, CIHI's director of acute and ambulatory care information services, said Monday in a release.

The data revealed there were 20,427 visits on March 31, 2020 compared to 40,803 visits on March 31, 2019.

The findings are based on more than 80 per cent of emergency department visits reported to CIHI.

MORE Health ARTICLES

Avoid Processed Food, Ditch Hot Beverages For Healthy Teeth

Avoid Processed Food, Ditch Hot Beverages For Healthy Teeth
Sensitivity and trouble in jaw/teeth is a common thing during monsoon season. Avoid having steaming hot food or beverages and floss regularly, say experts.

Avoid Processed Food, Ditch Hot Beverages For Healthy Teeth

World Breastfeeding Week: Nursing Moms, Eat Your Way To Better Health

World Breastfeeding Week: Nursing Moms, Eat Your Way To Better Health
A mom-to-be's to-do-list usually shows a green checkmark next to ' healthy eating,' but once the baby arrives, the focus on food often fades away. However, if you're a nursing mom, you may want to continue those better eating practices.

World Breastfeeding Week: Nursing Moms, Eat Your Way To Better Health

Zika May Not Spread By Kissing: Study

Zika May Not Spread By Kissing: Study
Casual contact like kissing or sharing a fork or spoon does not increase the risk of transmission of Zika virus as the infection may not spread through saliva, US researchers have found.

Zika May Not Spread By Kissing: Study

Want To Keep Diabetes At Bay? Drink Alcohol

Want To Keep Diabetes At Bay? Drink Alcohol
Who knew alcohol consumption could also have a positive impact on our health!  It's not every day that medical studies say alcohol could be good for you but according to a recent study, drinking alcohol can significantly protect against diabetes.

Want To Keep Diabetes At Bay? Drink Alcohol

Eating Walnuts May Boost Gut Health, Cut Cancer Risk

Eating Walnuts May Boost Gut Health, Cut Cancer Risk
Walnuts act as a probiotic to help nourish and grow the bacteria that keeps the digestive system healthy, the researchers said.

Eating Walnuts May Boost Gut Health, Cut Cancer Risk

Cows Can Cure HIV. Surprised? Well This Is What Researchers In The US Have Found

Cows Can Cure HIV. Surprised? Well This Is What Researchers In The US Have Found
Do Not Underestimate Your Cows? They Can Be Useful In More Ways Than You May Have Ever Heard. Read This Report To Find Out How.

Cows Can Cure HIV. Surprised? Well This Is What Researchers In The US Have Found