The number of children transported by ambulance has decreased by nearly 40%.

The number of children transported by ambulance decreased by nearly 40% Doctor “Don't hesitate in an emergency” October 29, 6:09

It was found that the number of children transported to hospitals by ambulance has decreased by nearly 40% since the spread of the new coronavirus infection.

It seems that the reason is the refraining from seeing a doctor who fears infection and the decrease in infectious diseases due to countermeasures, but in some cases the symptoms worsen before going to the hospital, and doctors said, "Don't hesitate to go to the hospital in an emergency. I want you to bring me. "

NHK interviewed the Tokyo Fire Department and fire departments in six major cities nationwide regarding the number of people who were transported to hospitals by ambulance from February to the end of last month due to the spread of the virus infection.

As a result, this year's number was 734,656, a decrease of 122,617, or 14%, compared to the same period last year.

Even in August, when the number of people transported due to heat stroke was the highest ever due to the heat wave every day, the number has decreased by 12,254.

By age group, especially for children under the age of 14, the number was 38,471, a decrease of 23,345, or 38%, compared to last year.

By month, there was a 47% decrease in April and May when the state of emergency was announced, and a slight increase thereafter, but a 41% decrease after June, mainly for infants aged 0 to 5 years. It continues to be low.

The number of ambulance carriers nationwide is increasing every year, and last year it was a record high, but it is unusually low.

Regarding the reason for the decrease, Yoshihisa Oishi, director of the Japanese Red Cross Medical Center in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, said that the infectious disease itself has decreased due to measures such as masks and hand washing, as well as "refraining from consultation" for parents who are concerned about virus infection in their children. It is said that it can be mentioned.

On the other hand, there are cases where the symptoms worsen before going to the hospital, so Director Oishi said, "Since the hospital is thorough in infection control, do not hesitate if the situation is clearly different from usual. I want you to bring me to the hospital. "

Decrease and spread in cities all over the country

The decline in the number of ambulance carriers is spreading to cities across the country.

NHK interviewed fire departments in seven cities, including Sapporo, Sendai, Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Hiroshima, and Fukuoka, from February to last month.

The number of carriers has decreased in all cities from the same period last year, with about 73,000 in Tokyo, about 18,000 in Osaka, and about 9,200 in Nagoya, a rate of about 10. It was reduced by 15% from%.

There is also a tendency for the number of transporters of children under the age of 14 to decrease in various places, with the rate being 41% in Osaka City, 38% in Tokyo, 36% in Nagoya City and Sapporo City, and 40% from last year in each place. It turned out that it was decreasing before and after.

Especially in April and May, when the state of emergency was declared, the number of transporters of elementary and junior high school students decreased significantly, and the rate of decrease in each area was 40% to 62%, showing a remarkable effect.

Some mothers hesitated to go to the hospital

Some women hesitated to take their young children to the hospital because of the spread of the new coronavirus.

Kanae Kitahata (33), who lives in Tokyo, has a 2-year-old daughter and is currently 9 months pregnant.

Earlier this month, her daughter, Princess Nano, had a fever and had a fever of 39 degrees for four days intermittently, but she didn't take her to the hospital and saw her at home.

Mr. Kanae said, "I think I would have taken him to the hospital, but since I was pregnant, I was afraid of the risk of infection. In addition, I took an ambulance in the medical situation. I thought it would be a nuisance to call it, "he said.

After that, it is said that Princess Nano-chan's fever has subsided, but in order to avoid going to the hospital as much as possible, in addition to thoroughly washing hands and gargle, diligently disinfect furniture and bring disinfectant to the outside. It means that the lifestyle has also changed.

Still, I think it's difficult to decide if I should go to the hospital when I get sick again.

Kanae says, "I think I'll call an ambulance as soon as I find out that it's a life-threatening situation, such as being tired or unconscious, but I don't think I'll call it if I can wait and see. To be honest, it is difficult to draw the line whether it is okay or not. "

Hospital "Use of consultation counters"

At the Japanese Red Cross Medical Center in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, the number of children undergoing pediatric emergency care, including the transportation of ambulances, has decreased significantly since the spread of the new coronavirus infection.

Between February and last month, the number of children who visited the hospital for pediatric emergency was 1213, down to one-third of last year.

In April, when the state of emergency was declared, the number was 38, which is less than one-tenth of last year's 449, and last month it was about one-third of last year.

Yoshihisa Oishi, director of the pediatrics department, said that the number of emergency patients has never been so small in the past, citing refraining from seeing a doctor who was afraid of being infected with the new coronavirus and reducing the number of infectious diseases by taking measures.

On the other hand, at hospitals, the number of children who go to the hospital after the symptoms such as fever worsen has increased.

Oishi says that for small children, once they get sick, their condition may suddenly worsen, so it is important to take them to the hospital without hesitation in an emergency.

On top of that, if you get lost, I would like you to use the consultation desk operated by the government, such as "# 7119", or to check the consultation destination such as your family doctor in advance.

<< Consultation counter in case of doubt >>.

▽ Pediatric emergency consultation dial "# 8000".

▽ Dial "# 7119" that accepts emergency consultations not only for children.

* "# 7119" is operated in some areas such as Tokyo and Osaka.