When Natural Hazards Intersect with Public Health: A Preliminary Exploration of the Impact of Bushfires and the COVID-19 Pandemic on Australian Coastal Drowning Fatalities

Abstract

Natural hazards combined with the COVID-19 pandemic have had significant global impacts to the community and the environment. This study explores the impact of the Australian 2019/20 bushfires followed by the COVID-19 pandemic on unintentional coastal drowning fatalities. Fatality data were collated using triangulation methodology. Percentage change in coastal drowning fatalities between 2019/20 financial year (FY) and the 15FY annual average (2004/5–2018/19) were calculated for the dominant bushfire period (August 2019–February 2020 inclusive) and COVID-19 restrictions in place for 2019/20FY (March–June 2020 inclusive). Relative risk (RR; with 95% confidence intervals [CI]) of coastal drowning was calculated against the average for overall, bushfire and COVID-19 periods, using coastal participation data as the denominator, weighted for the predicted decrease in the use of outdoor coastal areas due to these widespread events. Coastal drowning fatalities increased in 2019/20FY by 9% overall (bushfires: 6%; COVID-19: 9%). Swimming/wading drowning fatalities increased during the bushfire period (RR = 2.02; 95% CI: 1.13–3.63), while boating and personal watercraft (PWC)-related fatalities increased during both the bushfire (RR = 2.92; 95% CI: 1.41–6.05) and COVID-19 period (RR = 3.86; 95% CI: 1.64–9.11). Rock fishing fatalities also increased across both the bushfire (RR = 4.19; 95% CI: 1.45–12.07; p = 0.008) and COVID-19 (RR = 3.8;95% CI: 1.24–11.62; p = 0.027) periods. Findings indicate the activity patterns leading to coastal drowning fatalities changed despite significant public health events impacting freedom of movement and thus opportunity for coastal participation. Understanding, and preparing for, the impacts of natural hazards on drowning risk is vital for future preventive efforts.

Increased unintentional drowning deaths in 2020 by age, race/ethnicity, sex, and location, United States

“…Powerboat sales reached a 13-year high in 2020 in the United States, increasing 12% over the previous year ( National Marine Manufacturers Association, 2020 ). Similar increases in boating-related drowning and boating sales contributed to increased drowning in Australia in 2020 ( Lawes et al, 2021 ). In one study, young adults in Canada identified outdoor activities, including spending time at the beach, as an important coping mechanism during the COVID-19 pandemic ( Ferguson et al, 2021 ).…”

“…One study conducted in Guangdong, China found drowning deaths had decreased by 35% during the COVID-19 pandemic (January–June 2020) compared to the same timeframe in the prior year ( Zheng et al, 2021 ). Another study examined unintentional coastal drowning fatalities in Australia and found the risk of drowning was 1.75 times higher during the COVID-19 restriction period (March – June 2020) compared to the previous 15 years on average ( Lawes, Strasiotto, Daw, & Peden, 2021 ). Specifically, drowning while boating or using personal watercraft had the largest increase (88%; Lawes et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Another study examined unintentional coastal drowning fatalities in Australia and found the risk of drowning was 1.75 times higher during the COVID-19 restriction period (March – June 2020) compared to the previous 15 years on average ( Lawes, Strasiotto, Daw, & Peden, 2021 ). Specifically, drowning while boating or using personal watercraft had the largest increase (88%; Lawes et al, 2021 ). Increases in drowning during rock fishing (60%) and unpowered watercraft activities (33%) were also reported.…”

“…Increases in drowning during rock fishing (60%) and unpowered watercraft activities (33%) were also reported. However, drowning related to swimming/wading (−50%) and snorkeling/diving (−67%) significantly decreased during the COVID-19 restriction period ( Lawes et al, 2021 ).…”

Managing Compound Hazards: Impact of COVID-19 and Cases of Adaptive Governance during the 2020 Kumamoto Flood in Japan

“…Compound hazards that combined natural hazards and the COVID-19 pandemic have had major impacts on the community and the environment, and consequently increased the virus spread [1,2]. In such multiple-hazard crises, governments and other responding agents are required to make complex, highly compromised, hierarchical decisions aimed to balance COVID-19 risks and protocols with disaster response and recovery operations.…”