Stabbings, Gunshots A '2nd Pandemic' In Orange County, Study Says

IRVINE, CA —Gunshot and knife wounds increased by over 20 percent during the COVID-19 pandemic in Southern California, according to a study from UC Irvine Researchers, while hospital treated trauma from traffic crashes, suicide, and known cases of domestic violence were down across the board.

UCI Health researchers reviewed 20,450 trauma patients who were treated at 11 hospitals across seven counties during the pandemic. Researchers looked for cases of "penetrating trauma," which happens when a patient's skin is pierced by an object such as a bullet or knife.

In 2020, Lake Forest was the site of several such stabbings, including a shooting at an area motel, and most recently, a double stabbing at a Foothill Ranch area home. Further south, over the summer, a San Clemente man with famous ties was accused of stabbing his neighbor. Doctors have reported in the Journal of American Medicine that during the pandemic, stress, racial disparity, and an inability to grieve properly for loss of lives, income, and personal freedoms could have long-term, lingering effects.

Dr. Charles R. Marmar, an NYU Psychiatrist, wrote in The Journal of American Medicine that a 'second wave' pandemic is building in mental health, psychological disorders, and drug dependency. All have worked together to develop an "imminent mental health surge" over the course of the year.

When the number of traumatic injuries in Orange County is reviewed, it also shows an increase in violent crime, according to the UCI report.

The UCI study is the first large-scale analysis of the stay-at-home orders on trauma treatment, according to a UC Irvine spokesperson, and was published online in the Journal of Trauma & Acute Care Surgery.

UCI Dr. Jeffry Nahmias spoke on the analysis that led to the report and identified a 21% increase in rates of penetrating trauma and a 24% increase in rates of gunshot wounds.

"There was no significant increase in rates of suicide attempts or domestic violence that required trauma or critical care in the period after California's stay-at-home order was issued in March 2020," Nahmias said.

Read: Two Stabbed Inside Lake Forest Home, One Suspect Arrested | Lake Forest

"One potential explanation for this increase in penetrating trauma is a rise in economic and psychological pressures experienced during the pandemic," Nahmias said, acknowledging that the state's unemployment rate rose to 16% during 2020.

The researchers said the rise in these types of trauma sparked a "second pandemic."

The surgeon said other studies across the country indicated a boost in traumatic injuries stemming from suicide attempts and domestic violence, but added that the UCI study did not reflect that.

"These remain critical public health concerns, but our multi-center analysis did not bear out an increase, however, this study only captures the most violent incidents that would be seen at a major trauma center," Nahmias said.

History has shown that societies recover from such devastation when leaders and members are joined by a shared purpose, acting in a unified way to facilitate recovery. In such societies, there is a shared understanding that its members must care for one another because the loss of one is a loss for all. Above all, this shared understanding must be restored.

Read also:

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's Son Charged In San Clemente Stabbing | San Clemente

Stabbing At Coto De Caza Community: Cops | Rancho Santa Margarita

Lake Forest Hotel Shooting: Woman Dies | Lake Forest

Gunshot Victim Dies After Dramatic Orange County Car Crash | City of Orange

Stabbing At Lake Forest Apartment | Lake Forest

City News Service contributed to this report.