When should I call 911 and when should I call the on-call medical service?
The emergency number 112 is reserved for emergencies. As a general rule, you should only dial 112 if one or more people are in distress and time is short. This is the case, for example, in the event of chest pain, severe shortness of breath or an accident.
The medical on-call service 116117 is your contact if you need medical advice but it is not an emergency. Also, if you have questions about the coronavirus and its symptoms, dial 116117. However, due to the high demand in the current situation, there may be waiting times.
What to do if you think you have been infected with the coronavirus, you can read in the article Coronavirus: What to do in case of a (possible) infection?
Can I dial 112 despite the corona crisis?
Can I still go to the emergency room?
The emergency room, similar to 112, is reserved for emergencies – even during the current Corona crisis. Many hospitals are currently separating people with respiratory symptoms from other patients as a precaution. This is to prevent the potential risk of infection with the corona virus in the emergency room.
In general, stay home if possible and only visit the emergency room in an emergency. If you have urgent questions, you can contact the on-call service and dial 116 117.
Do I need to mention corona symptoms (cough/fever/breathlessness) when calling 911?
If you have symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath or fever, mention them – regardless of the reason you need emergency medical assistance! In order for emergency medical personnel to correctly classify the case and provide the patient with the best possible care, they need to know about all of the person’s symptoms.
Do I need to mention contact with someone infected with coronavirus or being in risk areas?
Yes. If you have had contact with someone infected with coronavirus or have recently been in a risk area, tell the ambulance service over the phone. Paramedics and emergency physicians can then take appropriate protective measures.
An overview of risk areas can be found here.
Will I be treated if I have symptoms of a coronavirus infection?
Yes. Emergency physicians and paramedics will treat any patient, even if symptoms of coronavirus infection are present. In this case, the physicians will take safety measures to avoid becoming infected themselves. If the patient’s health permits, he or she will be fitted with a mouth-nose protection.
I have tested positive for Sars-CoV-2. Will I get help later because of this?
What information do I need to have ready to make an emergency call?
When you make an emergency call, have the following information ready:
- Where did something happen?
- What happened?
- How many people are injured?
- Who is reporting the emergency?
- Wait for possible callbacks!
Answer all questions truthfully. Then follow the instructions and wait with the victim until the emergency physician arrives.
You can also find more information on first aid on our “First aid” overview page.
