When to Call 9-1-1 During the COVID-19 Outbreak
Regional authorities urge use of 9-1-1 only in cases of life-threatening emergencies
Central Virginia All Hazards Incident Management Team —Regional authorities are reminding citizens to call 9-1-1 only in the event of a life-threatening emergency.
Because of the outbreak of COVID-19, emergency resources may become stretched thin, so citizens can help by calling 9-1-1 only for medical emergencies.
Citizens who believe they have contracted COVID-19 should call 9-1-1 only if they are experiencing either severe difficulty breathing or severe illness.
Citizens should also continue to call 9-1-1 for non-COVID-19 medical emergencies.
For information about COVID-19, including testing, citizens are asked to call the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) at 877-ASK-VDH3 (877-275-8343) and not 911.
More information also is available at the VDH webpage, Testing for COVID-19.
Callers may be asked additional questions to identify potential COVID-19 cases. These questions are to ensure that first responders arrive with appropriate personal protection equipment, not to diagnose COVID-19.
For more information about the regional response to the COVID-19 outbreak, visit the COVID-19 Central Virginia Public Information webpage. For information about a specific city’s or county’s response, visit:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): What to Do if You are Sick.
- CDC website
- VDH website.
- Chesterfield County | chesterfield.gov/coronavirus
- City of Richmond | richmondgov.com/covid19/
- Goochland County | goochlandva.us
- Hanover County | hanovercounty.gov/1024/COVID-19-Coronavirus
- Henrico County | henrico.us/coronavirus
- Powhatan County | powhatanva.gov/1687/COVID—19-Information
Sample of Additional Questions Implemented by the Richmond Department of Emergency Communications
For EMS-related calls for service (CFS):
- Does the patient have a fever and/or cough?
- Has anyone in the residence or establishment been in contact with someone with confirmed COVID-19 (the coronavirus) or traveled in the last twenty-one (21) days?
- Has anyone in the residence or establishment tested positive for COVID-19 or have pending results for COVID-19 in the past two (2) weeks?
For Richmond Fire Department, Police Department and Animal Care and Control-related CFS:
- Is anyone on the premises complaining of a cough or short of breath with a fever?
- Has anyone in the residence or establishment been in contact with someone with confirmed COVID-19 (the coronavirus) or traveled in the last twenty-one (21) days?
- Has anyone in the residence or establishment tested positive for COVID-19 or have pending results for COVID-19 in the past two (2) weeks?
