Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

June 4, 2020

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Emergency Department Visits — United States, January 1, 2019–May 30, 2020

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  • Emergency department visits declined 42% during the early COVID-19 pandemic, from a mean of 2.1 million per week (March 31–April 27, 2019) to 1.2 million (March 29–April 25, 2020), with the steepest decreases in persons aged ≤14 years, females, and those in the Northeast. The proportion of infectious disease–related visits was four times higher during the early period. CDC recommends continued use of virtual visits and triage help lines and adherence to CDC infection control guidance. 

Hartnett et al. (June 3, 2020). Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Emergency Department Visits — United States, January 1, 2019–May 30, 2020. MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6923e1