Ambulance Response Times Surge In Queens Amid Pandemic: Report

QUEENS, NY — EMS response times in Queens have surged since the outbreak of the new coronavirus hit New York City, according to a news report.

It took ambulance crews roughly 17 minutes to respond to medical emergencies in Queens last month, compared to an average response time of 10:46 in February, the New York Post reported.

In life-threatening cases such as cardiac arrests, it took emergency medical responders just over 10 minutes to answer calls in Queens last month, up from a 7:55 average in February, according to the Post.

And in the world of medical emergencies, two minutes could mean the difference between life and death, an EMS source told the news outlet.

“Some people who could have been saved may die,” an EMS insider told the Post.

Across New York City, the average response time to life-threatening cases rose from 7:37 in February to 9:24 in March, and responses to all emergencies went from 11:27 to 18:07, according to the Post.

The increase comes as the FDNY receives a record number of emergency medical calls. On March 30, the Fire Department received 6,500 emergency medical calls — its busiest day ever, according to the Post.

“EMTs and paramedics are doing an extraordinary job responding to an unprecedented number of medical calls during a pandemic," FDNY spokesman Frank Dwyer told the Post. "This is the busiest period in the history of EMS and our members are continuing to respond 24/7 to care for and protect New Yorkers.”

Read the full story in the New York Post.