First responders treating COVID-19 patients discuss precautions they take and meeting the needs

COVID-19 cases remain at crisis levels with more than 7,200 reported between Friday and Monday in Mississippi.  To thank first responders and staff for their hard work, the Salvation Army is providing meals at Merit Health Central Hospital in Jackson.  Captain Jerry Floyd with the Jackson Fire Department is grateful because he says they respond to emergencies at a moment's notice, including entering homes where people have COVID-19.

“We’re kind of leery you know but we have a call to duty, to try and uphold the best we can, and we dress accordingly.  You know sometimes we throw on our turnouts.  Sometimes we have gowns, we have gloves and we mask up real good.  And some of us even have goggles too,” said Floyd.

Floyd says three firefighters at his station have had COVID-19 and are back at work.  He says one is now quarantined with coronavirus.  The state health officer has issued an order allowing EMTs to care for COVID-19 patients in hospitals.  Elicia Zetterholm with Pafford EMS in Madison, says that would be difficult for them to do.

“It would be great, just the problem is we’re already short handed out in the field.  We’re hoping that it doesn't shorten us any more but maybe we can get other people from other states.  But we also know that other states are short handed too.  So it’s going to be trying on that,” said Zetterholm.

Zetterholm says when taking COVID-19 patients to hospitals the wait can be 30 minutes to 10 hours before people can be admitted.