FDNY urges residents to only call 911 for real emergencies, not COVID testing
Summary
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A surge of new coronavirus (COVID-19) cases is prompting plenty of city residents to seek out tests, but the FDNY on Wednesday urged New Yorkers to avoid calling 911 to ask for a trip to the hospital to get swabbed. The department shared the message in multiple languages on Twitter, adding that residents should call 911 if they are enduring severe symptoms, like low oxygen level, high fever and chest pains. Reports indicate the city is experiencing a significant uptick of emergency calls amid the latest rise in new cases, with the 911 system also experiencing instances of people calling because they are sick and want to be tested. The high call volume comes as the FDNY is dealing with COVID-19 struggles of its own, with a bump in medical leave seen across the departments firefighter and EMS workers. The Daily News reported 30% of the citys EMS members and 17% of its firefighters are currently out sick, and FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro has said the reduced workforce has "stressed" the departments ranks.