Paramedics do nearly 1,700 COVID-19 tests

Quinte-Hastings community paramedics have been testing hundreds of people for COVID-19 in Long Term Care Homes and the community over the past few weeks.

Chief of Paramedic Services Doug Socha reported during a teleconference of the Emergency Measures Committee on Wednesday that the paramedics had tested 1,697 people as of Tuesday.

Socha also reported on the new assessment centres coming to Quinte West and North Hastings.

He says the province has indicated it will provide the funding.

Socha also noted, “We are seeing a decrease in emergency response as others areas do. There’s been a drop here and around the province. Some of it is a perception of fear of going to hospitals (because of the pandemic) so we’ve really been messaging.”

Also, Hastings-Quinte Paramedic Services will be adding new recruits in June.

Hastings-Quinte Chief of Paramedics Doug Socha (File photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)

Belleville Councillor Sean Kelly questioned Socha about how the paramedics are doing under the COVID-19 stress.

Kelly also referred to the community support.

Socha replied, “Our paramedics have been dealing with this since the first repatriated Canadians, 900 of them, went through at CFB Trenton. When we first started there was a lot of apprehension. The crews were very anxious, nervous about what this would be and what level they would be preparing for. Certainly we’ve been preparing for along time. We’re well prepared from that side.

“This is pretty stressful for paramedics on the front line to be going into a lot of unknowns. We established a situation table for discussions. We modified the back of ambulances to make it easier for them to work in.

“The community and local businesses have reached out. Absolutely. They’ve provided coffee, food, personal protective equipment. We always take a picture and give a shout out on social media. A thank you.”