Managing two waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in northern emergency departments in Paris: COVIDORG II

CONTEXT: At the end of the 1st lockdown, we thought the COVID-19 pandemic was over. Yet, we had to deal with other successive waves. OBJECTIVE: To analyze our strategies for managing the 2nd and 3rd waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Descriptive and observational study in two emergency departments in the North of Paris (Bichat and Lariboisière hospitals) over the period from May 01, 2020, to May 31, 2021. RESULTS: Analysis of our activity during the study period revealed that less than 5% of patients treated for COVID-19 pneumonia in our 2 hospitals had died. Two explanations for this observation: on the one hand, a better knowledge of the physiological mechanisms of the disease; And on the other hand, a weapon to effectively prevent severe forms, hospitalizations, and deaths: the vaccine. Yet, 1 year after the pandemic, we continued to see sustained activity partly related to COVID-19, but also for other consultation reasons. And unlike the first wave, the number of caregivers has been significantly reduced due to exhaustion. It is also important to highlight the psychological impact of COVID-19 with a number of suicide attempts doubling during our study period. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic has weakened the buildings of our health care system. Today, the burden of emergency care rests on a limited number of professionals.