Emergency medical calls involving ambulances have increased by a third between April and June of this year in Gilmer County due to COVID-19 (coronavirus).
“We are still trending up,” said Gilmer County Fire Chief Daniel Kauffman.
Initially, during the shelter in place order in February and March, calls declined by 12 percent. Calls have been above normal since.
Gilmer County EMS Chief Russell Brown said July saw a higher volume than June. With the flu season around the corner, he doesn’t think it will decrease in the coming months.
“The volume has definitely increased,” said Gilmer County Public Safety Director Keith Kucera. “And it is a different type of volume.”
People are trying their best to stay out of hospitals, so calls for minor injuries are down.
“They are sick people we are moving,” he said.
Kucera said they are seeing a huge uptick in 18 to 29 year-olds COVID-19 numbers.
With the increased volume, the department is requesting a fifth ambulance with stretcher, a minimum of two Lucas devices for CPR and more personal protective equipment. Total cost estimated at $300,000.
“It can be used from day one,” Brown said.
Every ambulance is staffed with a paramedic and an EMT. Standard protection heading to a call is goggles, mask and gloves.
Brown said the medic takes the lead and makes initial contact to screen for possible infections.
When a coronavirus infection is suspected or confirmed, additional protective equipment is used by the crew.
After every transport involving coronavirus the ambulance is cleaned along with the stretcher and the crew showers and changes uniforms.
A fifth ambulance will help the department deal with the increased call volume.
Purchasing Lucas devices was being explored before the coronavirus outbreak, but Kauffman and Brown agree they become more necessary now. The device performs chest compressions. It allows the medic to pay attention to other patient needs. But, it also keeps some distance between the patient and the medic.
With ambulance calls increasing, so is hospital usage.
“Over the past several weeks, Piedmont Mountainside Hospital – like many hospitals across the state and most of the country – has seen an increase in coronavirus (COVID-19) positive patients as well as an increase in overall patient volumes for reasons other than COVID-19,” said Stacy Fentress, Senior Communications Specialist for Piedmont Hospitals.
She said the regional nature of the Piedmont systems helps the hospitals to share resources and support each other.
“We need your help in stopping the transmission of this disease so we all can be safer. Importantly, we urge everyone to continue keep themselves and loved ones safe by practicing the 3 Ws – Wear a Mask; Wash your Hands; Watch your Distance,” Fentress said.
Kucera echoed the sentiment. He said people need to be aware and practice good health and hygiene, as well as socially distance and wear a mask. He said all these things will help mitigate the virus.