'Please Don't Call 911': 30% of New York's EMS Out Sick as COVID Calls Double
https://www.thedailybeast.com/30-percent-of-new-york-citys-ems-out-sick-as-covid-911-calls-nearly-double?ref=home
Please Dont Call 911: 30% of New Yorks EMS Out Sick as COVID Calls Double
WORRYING SIGNS
Corbin Bolies
Breaking News Intern
Published Dec. 29, 2021 8:18PM ET
The number of 911 calls for fever and cough in New York City has nearly doubled since the start of Decemberand the citys emergency medical services is facing a massive staffing shortfall. The city had 767 911 calls related to the COVID-19 symptoms on Sunday, nearly double Novembers roughly 400 calls. Meanwhile, 30 percent of the citys 4,400 EMS workers were out sick Wednesday, an FDNY spokesman told Gothamist. Our resources are impacted right now because of this, and were trying to make sure we prioritize those resources for folks who are really in a bad way and need our help, spokesman Frank Dwyer said. If its not a true emergency, please dont call 911. Vincent Variele, the head of the FDNYs EMS union, reiterated the stress the Omicron variant has placed on the workforce. Its taking a toll on them, Variele said. Theyre drained and burnt out.