The Brief
- The latest CDC data shows flu activity reached high levels in Wisconsin.
- Bell Ambulance said December was its busiest month ever, and every station had increased call volume “because of the flu.”
- The CDC has recommendations for people to avoid getting flu.
MILWAUKEE – The latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows flu activity reached high levels in Wisconsin last month, and while the spread shows no signs of slowing down – it is slowing down ambulance services.
Ambulance calls surge
Local perspective:
Scott Mickelsen with Bell Ambulance said December wasn’t just their busiest month of the year, it was their busiest month ever. Bell Ambulance started working with Milwaukee in 1977 and has never been flooded with this many calls.
“Every single station had increased call volume because of the flu,” he said.
The latest CDC data shows hospitalizations at the end of December were at the highest rate of the year. Respiratory illnesses made up 27% of emergency department visits.…