While paramedics work hard on the frontlines dealing with COVID-19 patients as well as other emergencies, they need some help from the public.
One major problem paramedic units responding to emergencies have been dealing with is people not revealing if they’ve been tested for the COVID-19 virus, or have tested positive for the virus.
Callers to 9-1-1 are asked to disclose any pertinent information about the virus to the dispatcher, and again to paramedics who arrive on the scene.
Mark Logemann is the acting chief of paramedics for New Castle County, and he says disclosing such information is extremely helpful.
"The answers to the questions and the information that is provided by the callers and the patient themselves when we arrive helps determine the level of personal protective equipment that we wear and in turn prevents the transmission of the COVID-19 virus," said Logemann.
He adds their workforce is still strong even though some are out self-isolating and monitoring because they came in contact with someone with COVID-19.
Logemann does say your COVID-19 status will not affect your treatment from paramedics.
"Regardless of someone's situation COVID-19 positive or not they're going to get the same treatment they would normally get, the only difference is how we may appear to them what level of mask or n95 respirator or gown head covering we might wear, but treatment they receive absolutely the same," Logemann said.
Logemann is confident in the stockpile of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) county paramedics have at this time, but says they are closely monitoring the inventory.
