I had to review pre and post-alcohol ban hospital stats yesterday and it makes sense why alcohol has to be taken away from us.

As a result of the Alcohol Ban imposed during Lockdown Levels 4 and 5, there was a 60-70% reduction in alcohol-related trauma visits and admissions.

The weekend of 21/22 March, ER24 saw a 25-50% drop in transport emergencies, another ambulance provider saw a reduction in assaults and stabbings. Bara Hospital ER also saw a reduction in emergency cases.

Following to easing of restrictions to Level 3, a noticeable rise in trauma-related hospital visits was observed. This was related to alcohol.

Studies showed that:
- in Gauteng, there was an 80% increase in trauma cases
- in 5 WC hospitals, 90 people were admitted to each hospital per day

It is estimated that during the first of the alcohol ban, alcohol trauma-related public hospital visits would be reduced by 3400 (this was done using modeling)

By the end of the 3rd week, the number is expected to have risen to about 6800 visits reduction.

This is likely to have an impact on reducing the burden on staff in ER units, the demand of inpatient beds, ICU facilities and ventilation capacity.

For context:
- 2% of stab-related admissions require ICU admission for about 5 days
- of 72 % of blunt trauma admissions requiring admission, 29% are admitted to ICU for an average of 9 days.

General alcohol use reduces adherence to non-pharmacological methods of reducing the spread of COVID-19 (social distancing, masks, hand washing)

Limiting alcohol-related hospital visits also limit exposure to and transmission of COVID-19

There’s a 2018 report that showed that 83.6% of cases reporting violence recounted alcohol use by the perpetrator. There’s a demonstrated link between IPV and alcohol use.