ABSTRACT
Background: In 2020, the COVID19 pandemic disrupted the health system and potentially affected the presentation and care of stroke patients. The Auckland Regional Community Stroke Study (ARCOS V) provided an opportunity to study the impact of the pandemic on stroke hospitalisation. Aim(s): To compare stroke hospitalisation and time from stroke onset to admission during COVID19 lockdowns with post-lockdown periods. Method(s): ARCOS V is a prospective, population-based, study of stroke and TIA incidence and outcomes in those aged >=15 years in the Greater Auckland region. Case ascertainment commenced on 1 March 2020 but was paused on 31 August 2020 (Phase 1) due to the observed impact of COVID19 on health service use. ARCOS V case ascertainment recommenced from 1 September 2020 for 12 months (Phase 2). We compared incidence of stroke, and time from onset to hospitalisation for two equivalent 6-month periods (March to August 2020 and 2021). Result(s): In Phase 1, 1144 stroke cases were hospitalised. The mean time to admission was 0.8 days [SD=3.9]. In Phase 2 (preliminary), 1250 stroke cases were hospitalised, and the mean time to admission was 1 day [SD=4.7]. In both Phases, males, younger [15-64 years] people, and Pacific people presented to hospital later. More detailed findings (analyses underway) including the comparative proportion of cases receiving neuroimaging, and revascularisation procedures by age, sex and ethnicity in the two phases will be presented. Conclusion(s): Fewer cases were admitted and time from stroke onset to admission was shorter during the peak of the pandemic in 2020, compared to 2021. Reduced time may be due to reduced traffic and fewer people in the emergency department during complete lockdown. The reasons for fewer people presenting to hospital during lockdown need to be explored further.