The Merrill Fire Department is partnering with a local hospital to help COVID-19 patients and take the pressure off a strained emergency room. The department believes it may be one of just a few in the state, and country, taking on this role.
Normally, you’d only get a visit from Merrill Paramedics in an emergency. But they’re helping COVID-19 patients after they’ve returned from the hospital.
“Our crew really knew that we could be part of the solution to this problem,” said Fire Chief Josh Klug.
Paramedics are taking the burden off Ascension Good Samaritan Hospital during a late fall and winter COVID-19 surge, with Klug noting that the hospital reported being overwhelmed with emergency patients in November. The program has been in place since 2018, but was recently changed to include COVID-19 patients.