WEST VIRGINIA (WOAY) – EMS workers and paramedics are on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic but Jan-Care Ambulance says so far, their 450 field workers in the state and in North Carolina are staying healthy.
Assistant Chief Jerry Long says this is in part due to the respiratory screening that happens at the 911 centers when calls come in.
Long says this helps the workers better prepare for what they will walk into.
“The 911 centers are screening patients if they call in with flu-like symptoms, cold, cough, that sort of thing. And then that information is relayed to our field crews that this is a person who you need to take extra precaution on because there’s a high incidence that could possibly COVID-19 positive.”
Long also said there is a protective equipment shortage even with ambulances but they are working with local entities to get more equipment.
