AMBULANCE chiefs are pleading with people to stop calling 999 in a panic because they have coronavirus symptoms.
West Midlands Ambulance Service say people are calling under an emergency pretext but on arrival the caller asks for a ‘check over’.
Bosses warned crews were wasting the protective equipment used on call-outs to avoid spreading the virus. They say six sets were discarded after three non-emergency coronavirus calls on Saturday. Shortages of the equipment have been reported globally.
In a tweet staff urged the community to pull together and to ‘use the 999 system wisely’.
NHS guidance advises those with a high temperature and new, continuous cough to stay home for seven days.
Those who think they have the infection should only call the 111 helpline if they cannot cope with their symptoms or if they are not better after seven days.
Visit 111.nhs.uk/covid-19 for more advice.