Los Angeles Public Health reported that three times as many people are visiting emergency rooms with complaints about symptoms related to the area’s warehouse fire.
Hospitals saw ER visits triple among patients living within 10 miles of the warehouse who reported symptoms related to the fire or smoke inhalation, public health officials told KNX News’ Emily Valdez.
L.A. County set up free health assessment clinics at East L.A.’s Our Lady of Victory Parish Church, Ruben Salazar Park and the East L.A. Civic Center.
Via Care L.A.’s community access team was at Our Lady of Victory Parish Church, providing free mobile community health services.
“We're hearing complaints of respiratory problems, high blood pressure, and anxiety by this event,” said Jonathan Weedman with Via Care L.A. “We are helping them; we're treating them, and if need be, we are referring them to one of our clinics for more advanced acute care.”
Weedman said dozens of people have visited the clinic. He said thousands of people have come for water, air purifiers and food as the county continues to distribute these supplies.
One woman said that the smoke has been terrible and that she is grateful for the help within the community that really needs it. She said she has experienced headaches and asthma-like symptoms.
Weedman said these clinics are diagnostic, and if people have more serious issues, staff will make sure they’re seen.
The county has more clinics scheduled. More information can be found on their site.
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