The 21st Show

Illinois Ambulance Service Dispatches Six To New York

Produced by Libby Foster
 
An ambulance is seen with it's emergency lights on in lower Manhattan, Sunday, March 29, 2020. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death.

An ambulance is seen with it's emergency lights on in lower Manhattan, Sunday, March 29, 2020. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. Mary Altaffer/ Associated Press

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As of Tuesday morning there have been more than 130,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New York. That's compared to the more than 12,200 in Illinois. First responders from central Illinois are now on the East Coast lending a hand.

With the number of confirmed coronavirus cases rising steadily across the country, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has sent hundreds of ambulances, EMTs and paramedics to New York City to help assist first responders. 

Several members of the central Illinois ambulance service Lakeside EMS have been called up to help in New York with no return date booked.

Guest: Jerrod Estes, CEO of Lakeside EMS of Effingham