Paramedics and EMTs are coping with an approximate 50 percent increase in emergency medical calls, plus a rise in coronavirus cases among their own ranks, putting pressure on a workforce already stretched thin.

The fire department says that New Yorkers should only call 911 in a true emergency. If people have serious symptoms, like difficulty breathing, they should go to an emergency room. People should only call 911 when they need immediate help, FDNY officials said.