Impact of SARS COVID-2 Pandemic on Trauma: An Experience from a University Level Trauma Centre in North India

Background: To combat COVID-19 pandemic transmission lockdown was declared by government of India twice. Between the lockdowns there was a period of unlock. This led to creation of crests and troughs in the number of patients presenting to our level III Trauma Centre. This study aimed to study the changing patterns of injuries during various phases of lockdown and unlock. Methods: This is a retrospective study done at Trauma Centre BHU Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh India. It included all patients coming to Triage of Trauma Centre from January 2020 to June 2021. This data was further subdivided into four groups- Pre-Lockdown, Lockdown1, Unlock and Lockdown2 and statistical analysis was done. Results: During Lockdown1 there was significant reduction in road traffic accidents and machinery injury cases with increase in cases of physical assaults, fall of object and stab injuries. While in unlock there was significant increase in road traffic accidents and firearm injury cases with decline in cases of other mode of injuries. Lockdown2 showed a generalized decline in almost all of the cases except stab injuries. Conclusion: COVID-19 and lockdown created a psychological stress among people with increased expression of fear and anger leading to increased cases of physical assaults and stab injuries. Due to restricted mobility and shutdown of industries there was decreased number of road traffic accidents and machinery injuries.