At least 100 Pittsburgh police officers are in quarantine because of possible covid-19 exposures, and one Public Safety employee has been hospitalized, officials said Tuesday.
Nine officers, nine firefighters and three EMS employees are currently positive for the virus, spokesman Chris Togneri said in a statement. He said others – including around 100 police officers – have been placed in quarantine out of an abundance of caution.
Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich stressed that those who are quarantining are not positive for covid-19 but are rather off as a precaution. One Public Safety employee – it was not clear from which department – is hospitalized “but has been improving daily,” Hissrich said.
He noted that the positivity rate among Pittsburgh’s Public Safety employees is lower than rates among first responders in other cities.
Those 100 officers represent just over 10% of the police force.
“Our numbers have been so low that we can take these precautions,” Hissrich said, noting that masking has been mandatory among employees since March and all are screened for symptoms daily.
Officials from police, fire and EMS have virtual meetings daily with both Hissrich and Dr. Ronald Roth, the city’s medical director, Togneri said.
A second covid-specific EMS unit has been activated, he said. The unit has enhanced decontamination capabilities and enhanced personal protective equipment at the disposal of EMTs and paramedics who respond to suspected covid-19 cases.
Hissrich said that although much has been learned about the virus since the pandemic began in March, strict precautions are still in place.
“We’re taking this very seriously,” he said.
