The recent rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in Herkimer County and the increased need for hospitalizations have put a strain on some local ambulance services.
“Calls have skyrocketed all around the valley,” said Ilion Fire Chief Thomas Pedersen in a telephone interview Monday. His department has two ambulances to respond to emergency medical service calls. “We’re having a hard time keeping up with the calls. We’re bringing in Kunkel and Kuyahoora (Valley Ambulance Corps) because we’re running out of ambulances.”
He added, “Both of our ambulances are out on calls right now.”
The week of Jan. 2 saw an increase of 762 new positive cases in the county and as of Monday, Jan. 11, 56 patients were hospitalized.
“I’ve been at MOVAC nearly every day for the past two weeks and we’re setting all kinds of records with the number of calls,” said MOVAC President Greg Eisenhut.