UPDATED INFORMATION ABOUT COVID-19 FROM CRUZ ROJA
If you have severe symptoms of COVID-19, do not call for a Cruz Roja ambulance and do not call 9-1-1.
Instead, call 664-108-2529
The Secretary of Health of the Government of Baja California is now in charge of the care, treatment, and transport of suspected Covid-19 patients including transport by ambulance to the United States when medically necessary.
Now, if you believe you may have severe symptoms of Covid-19, call 664-108-2529, not
9-1-1. Please write this number down and keep it handy so you will be prepared.
If you are experiencing severe symptoms of Covid-19 (see list below), do not call 9-1-1 during this pandemic. Call 9-1-1 (or 045-661-125-2125 if you are a Cruz Roja member and you live in La Mision or Baja Mar) <strongONLY if you need an ambulance for any life-threatening reason other than Covid-19 symptoms. If you call for a Cruz Roja Ambulance and you are experiencing symptoms of Covid-19, they cannot respond.
We are told this Government number is staffed 24/7. However, since it is a Government Agency, Cruz Roja has no access to be able to monitor their work. We understand that there are two Government ambulances stationed in the Rosarito area. At this time, we do not know if there will be more ambulances but Cruz Roja hopes that, in the future, the number will be increased and perhaps there will be one closer to our area.
By the orders of the Mexican Secretary of Health, Cruz Roja MAY NOT respond to possible Covid-19 calls. Patients infected with Covid -19 will be taken by a Government Ambulance to the General Hospital in Tijuana (there is also one section of the Rosarito General Hospital set aside for Covid-19 patients). If a Covid-19 patient needs to be taken to the border, the Government Ambulance will first have to obtain permission from the Mexican Health Department and the American Consulate. There is no cost for this emergency transportation.
Before the pandemic, patients with serious medical needs have been able to be transported to the border by the Cruz Roja ambulance when it has been deemed medically necessary. However, now, during this pandemic, even Non-Covid-19 patients with serious conditions who might have otherwise been able to be transported to the border, may not be able to be transported. The decision as to who may be transported will be made on a case-by-case basis and it will be possible only in the most serious and grave conditions.
Below is a list of both non-severe and severe symptoms of Covid-19. If you have non-severe symptoms, please stay home, self-quarantine, and self-medicate (cough medicine, Tylenol, plenty of fluids). DO NOT CALL THE AMUBLANCE IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING NON-LIFE-THREATENING SYMPTOMS.
Common Serious Symptoms (call for medical assistance)
- Fever greater than 38 Degrees Celsius or 100.4 Fahrenheit
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty breathing
Common Non-Serious Symptoms (self-quarantine at home)
- Low fever (under 100 degrees Fahrenheit)
- Dry Cough
- Tiredness
- Muscle Pain
Less Common Non-Serious Symptoms
- Headache
- Sore Throat
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Runny nose
