Covid: Ambulance hits second ever status three

NSW Ambulance recorded the second status 3 alert ever in its history yesterday as the weight of covid patients increases.

Dr Dominic Morgan, Commissioner of New South Wales Ambulance said there were 450 patients with Covid-19 transported yesterday and a total of 2,500 during this latest outbreak.

Commissioner Morgan addressed this morning’s covid media conference.

“In the last three days call demand has been equivalent to the busiest New Year’s Eve,” he said.

Commissioner Morgan described the current situation as a “very significant load on the ambulance service across New South Wales,” but said the challenging delays of ambulances getting patients into emergency departments was improving.

Due to the large number of calls, Commissioner Morgan confirmed there was a 25 minute response for an 18 year old who had suffered a cardiac arrest, which he said was a huge concern. 

Commissioner Morgan also said there were calls going through to 000 requesting ambulance to pick up groceries or take them to vaccination appointments, which was causing difficulties and asked people to only call for healthcare.