Hospitalizations for Non–COVID-19 Conditions During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Anecdotal evidence suggests that, in communities where COVID-19 is highly prevalent, people with non–COVID-19 conditions delay healthcare evaluations. Researchers confirmed this observation at four New York hospitals in a retrospective study.

• From March 1 through May 9, 2020, 3700 hospitalizations for non–COVID-19 conditions occurred; in 2018 and 2019, the numbers were 5400 and 6400, respectively, for those months.

• During the early COVID-19 period (March 1–March 21), mean weekly non-COVID–19 hospitalizations were unchanged from 2018 and 2019 numbers.

• During the peak COVID-19 period (March 22–April 11), non–COVID-19 hospitalizations were significantly lower for sepsis, heart failure, myocardial infarction, stroke, biliary tract disease, epileps…