Researchers of Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania estimated that Covid positive patients with traumatic injuries have a six times higher risk of death and complication than patients without Covid-19. The study shows that the virus also increased the risk of complications and death among trauma patients with injuries from car crashes, falls, or other accidents, or who were victims of violent injuries such as gunshots and stabbings. Covid positive patients also demonstrated double the likelihood of complications such as venous thromboembolism, renal failure, need for intubation, and unplanned ICU admission, as well as more than five times the odds of pulmonary complications. These risks were even greater in patients over age 65. Researchers studied 15,550 patients admitted to Pennsylvania trauma centres between March 21to July 31, 2020. In this they evaluated length of stay, complications, and overall outcomes for patients who tested positive for Covid as compared to patients who didn’t have the virus.
