What did hospitals prioritize during the COVID-19 pandemic?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals prioritized the treatment and care of COVID-19 patients, which is reflected in the correct answer. This focus was essential due to the overwhelming number of cases and the urgent need for specialized medical attention, resources, and healthcare staff to manage the disease effectively. The pandemic created a crisis situation, leading hospitals to allocate almost all available resources—such as beds, ventilators, and medical personnel—toward treating individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 to mitigate the spread of the virus and save lives.

This prioritization meant that many other forms of care, such as routine check-ups, non-urgent surgeries, and even some outpatient services, were either postponed or significantly scaled back to ensure the safety of patients and to conserve critical resources for those affected by COVID-19. The decision-making during this time was primarily influenced by the need to respond to an unprecedented public health emergency, where the health crisis of COVID-19 took precedence over regular healthcare practices.