Changing admission patterns in paediatric emergency departments during the COVID-19 pandemic

On 20 February 2020, so-called Italian Patient 1 was admitted to the intensive care unit of his local hospital due to a deteriorating clinical condition from SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 infection.

In Italy, COVID-19 originated from a handful of small towns in northern Italy that were swiftly placed into lockdown. Lockdown of Milan, Venice, Rimini and their provinces and neighbouring towns and cities followed on 8 March and the whole of Italy on 9 March, when the ‘#stayhome’ (#iostoacasa) executive order was issued. This order remained in place until after Easter, with all public gatherings banned and travel only allowed for ‘urgent, verifiable work situations and emergencies or health reasons’.

As of 30 March, 101 739 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Italy. This number includes the deceased (n=11 591) as well as those who have recovered (n=14 620). These cases have been identified through 477 359 tests on people experiencing suspicious symptoms, the most widespread testing in...

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