Monterey County emergency dispatchers to ask travel, exposure questions in response to coronavirus

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION) As the EMS Agency has monitored the spread of the novel coronavirus, known as Covid-19, it has decided to implement the Emerging Infectious Disease Surveillance Tool through its communications center using the Medical Priority Dispatch System.

What that means is that dispatchers will ask specific questions about travel and exposure to get information that will be passed on to responders before they go to the scene. The County of Monterey Health Department said this could alert responders of any respiratory precautions they may need to take.

Right now, dispatchers will be asking two additional questions on protocals based on dispatcher judgement. Based on the answers to the questions, dispatchers may alert the responding ambulance and first responders, who would use respiratory and other precautionary equipment until they assess the situation.

The health department said the risk of exposure of people infected with coronavirus is still low and no cases have been confirmed in Monterey County, but said the precautions are to keep responders as safe as possible.