Ambulance Victoria’s critical call-outs surge post-lockdown

From the moment Melbourne’s Stage 4 restrictions were lifted, Ambulance Victoria has experienced an unprecedented rise in call-outs — here’s why.

Victorians jumping back into life may be leading to an alarming increase in heart attacks, breathing difficulties and other serious illnesses.

Victorians jumping back into life after spending months on their couches and off medications during COVID-19 lockdowns may be leading an alarming increase in heart ­attacks, breathing difficulties and other serious illnesses.

Ambulance Victoria has ­experienced an unprecedented rise in the most critical call-outs since Melbourne’s stage four restrictions were lifted, prompting a health warning for those enjoying new-found freedom.

In the past week alone there have been three days with more than 1000 Code One emergencies — more than 25 per cent higher than the pre-COVID-19 daily average.

The increase has prompted a health warning for those enjoying new found freedom.

On November 2, the first day after stage four restrictions eased, Code One calls surged more than 32 per cent on Ambulance Victoria’s three-month average, with more than 2000 emergency calls making it one of the service’s busiest days ever.

Ambulance Victoria state health commander Justin Dunlop said the level of serious emergencies had barely slowed in the fortnight since, with many chronic illnesses ­neglected during lockdown now rising to the surface as people got back to normal life.

With restrictions set to be further eased and travel to regional areas more common, Ambulance Victoria is calling on Victorians to get health checks at their GP before embarking on exercise and long drives they may no longer be accustomed to.

“All of those people that ­potentially were nursing their medical conditions and resting through the lockdown, now that they are becoming more active that is probably a risk for them,” Mr Dunlop said.

Ambos fear the longer second lockdown could have even greater repercussions now being felt.

“That they will start suffering some signs and symptoms of the conditions that they had previously.

“We are really keen for everyone, before they journey out or resume exercising, to get a check-up with their local doctor or primary carer and make sure that they are ready to take on the world again.

“Those that have got chronic conditions that are about to get out and about probably need to make sure they are on top of their medical problems and check in with their doctors that the medication is right and they know how far they can stretch themselves.”

An Ambulance Victoria review found an extra 183 people died of cardiac arrest during Victoria’s first COVID-19 wave who would otherwise have been saved, but fear the longer second lockdown will have even greater repercussions.

Although the extreme thunderstorm asthma risk forecast for last Wednesday did not eventuate, paramedics were still flooded with 1945 emergency incidents, including 1008 Code One cases.

The surge included a 70 per cent jump in patients with breathing problems and a 20 per cent rise in cardiac arrests.

The trend has continued, with an additional 500 Code One call-outs attended by paramedics between November 11 and 15 compared to the same period last year.

Regional Victoria has experienced an even greater increase in health emergencies with daily ambulance call-outs now 11.4 per cent higher than before COVID-19.

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