The New York health commissioner has overturned new guidelines urging emergency workers not to resuscitate anyone without a pulse when responding to 911 calls amid the coronavirus pandemic.

A Department of Health spokeswoman told The Independent on Wednesday that commissioner Dr Howard Zucker overturned the orders because they did not "reflect New York's standards".

The extreme guidelines outlined in a health department memo last week were said to be "necessary during the Covid-19 response to protect the health and safety of EMS providers by limiting their exposure, conserve resources and ensure optimal use of equipment to save the greatest number of lives."

The move sparked outrage among first responders. The FDNY issued a letter on Friday telling emergency workers that revival attempts should continue, saying that "the NYC 911 system will continue to maintain a higher level of care".

Before the guideline change issued by Dr Zuker's Bureau of Emergency Medical Service, the protocol was to spend 20 minutes working on patients in cardiac arrest.

"This guidance, proposed by physician leaders of the EMS Regional Medical Control Systems and the State Advisory Council -- in accordance with American Heart Association guidance and based on standards recommended by the American College of Emergency Physicians and adopted in multiple other states - was issued April 17, 2020 at the recommendation of the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, and reflected ‎nationally recognised minimum standards," the Department of Health spokeswoman said in a statement.

"However, they don't reflect New York's standards and for that reason DOH Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker has ordered them to be rescinded."