Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on emergency department utilization of computed tomography scans of appendicitis and diverticulitis.

Purpose: Investigating the effect of the COVID-19 lockdown on adult patient visits, computed tomography (CT) abdominal scans, and presentations of appendicitis and diverticulitis, to emergency departments (ED) in St. John's NL.

Methods: A retrospective quantitative analysis was applied, using ED visits and Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) scores.