Do not delay seeking medical care!

Seek medical care and DO NOT DELAY if experiencing symptoms of a serious illness such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, or dizziness.

“Due to COVID-19, many people may be fearful of seeking medical care if they are having other medical issues,” stated Dr. Jennifer Morse, Medical Director for DHD#10. “It is very important that they do not delay seeking medical care if experiencing serious symptoms, as it may be a life or death situation.”

Conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, and severe infections are very time-sensitive and require prompt treatment for the best outcome. Delaying treatment for a potentially life-threatening condition can be extremely dangerous, if not deadly.

Data from Michigan EMS agencies from March 15 to May 23, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019, show:

• Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests increased 43.3 percent.

• Out-of-hospital deaths recorded by EMS increased 62 percent.

• Statewide EMS transports decreased 17 percent.

• Transports of heart attack (or STEMI) patients decreased nearly 10 percent.

• Transports of stroke patients decreased 12.1 percent.

Highly trained EMS providers and hospital staff remain available to safely care for patient medical emergencies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information on where to go for care when sick or injured, visit www.whereforcare.info