"Between March 11 and April 21, 2020, 42% fewer patients were admitted to VA inpatient facilities compared with the preceding 6 weeks, including for conditions generally requiring emergency treatment.
The percentage decrease in admissions for conditions generally requiring emergency treatment was greater or similar in magnitude to the decrease in admissions overall and is unlikely to be attributable to declines in elective surgeries or disease incidence related to reduced stress or lower exposure to other pathogens or pollution.
Rather, many patients may be avoiding hospitals to minimize risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection."
Baum A, Schwartz MD. Admissions to Veterans Affairs Hospitals for Emergency Conditions During the COVID-19 Pandemic. JAMA. 2020;324(1):96–99. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.9972