Скачать или смотреть Because of coronavirus, prepare to answer more questions next time you call 911

To ensure first responders aren’t showing up to help a patient with a potential case of coronavirus, 911 operators statewide are now screening callers with additional questions.

The enhanced screening guidelines were issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week. The protocol is being activated for the first time in Florida—it was considered in 2014 during the Ebola outbreak, said Manatee County Director of Public Safety Jacob Saur.

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Now if a caller says they are feverish, coughing or experiencing breathing problems, 911 operators will ask an additional series of questions.

“The call taker is going to take the 911 call like they normally would,” Saur said. “After they send the call to dispatchers to be sent out to first responders, they will go back and ask the additional questions to the caller to determine if they’re at risk for being around or possibly having COVID-19.”