Austin first responders receive 19 cold-related medical calls this week

Austin Travis County EMS says since Monday, first responders have received a total of 19 cold-related medical calls.

"Out of those medical calls, there are two suspected deaths from it. We cannot confirm until, of course, the medical examiner has their findings. The cold related calls vary from frostbite to severe hypothermia," said Austin-Travis County EMS PIO Captain Shannon Koesterer.

How serious is hypothermia?

What we know:

Frost bite is not as severe as hypothermia, but it impacts skin and the tissue that is exposed to the elements, mostly hands and feet.

"So not wearing appropriate. Mittens or gloves on your hands and being exposed to the elements will start to damage the tissues in your hands. It'll start off painful, and then eventually you won't feel that area as that tissue starts to deaden. It's almost akin to a burn, but from the cold," says Koesterer.

Hypothermia can be life-threatening. It significantly drops body temperature.

"First, you're shivering. And then the other symptoms are confusion and, you know, stupor sets in, and then that can lead to the patient becoming unconscious in a coma, and then death," says Koesterer.

Why you should care:

First responders are asking the public to be proactive in extreme conditions.

"We've set up a multitude of social media posts with prevention tips, videos as well. They have been urging people to prepare for this weather and our crews are constantly surveilling them while they are driving around, looking for an opportunity to help somebody before they need an ambulance," says Koesterer.

The city of Austin's cold weather shelters remain open to provide a warm place for those in need. Nearly 550 people stayed at the shelters Monday night.

Cold weather shelters will remain open until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22.

The Source: Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin's Tan Radford

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