Paramedics suffer from flu

NEWS 9

The flu is putting a strain on paramedics here in the metro.

EMSA in Oklahoma City says its paramedics and technicians have been calling in sick at double the usual number this flu season.

EMSA officials say part-time workers and others working overtime are filling the gaps, along with managers who are also registered paramedics.

But there's a lot to do.

EMSA says the flu and a stomach virus have lead to a 21 percent increase in calls. Officials expect to set a record with 5,400 calls this month, breaking a record of just over 5,000 which was set in December, mostly due to the ice storm.