Pittsburgh Public Safety: 6 police officers have recently tested positive for covid-19

Six Pittsburgh police officers have recently tested positive for covid-19, a Pittsburgh Public Safety spokesman reported Friday.

Other officers are also in isolation or quarantining due to possible exposure.

Spokesman Chris Togneri said the department continues to take steps to safeguard against the spread of the virus. Those measures include mandatory mask wearing, health screenings when entering all Public Safety facilities, social distancing, restrictions on group size and strict protocols on contact tracing.

Public Safety Director Wendell Hissrich, Police Chief Scott Schubert and members of the PBP Pandemic Command Group have, as a reminder, reissued orders to all members of the bureau to adhere to covid-19 safety protocols.

“The virus is spreading at record rates across the country, and we recognize that we must be vigilant, especially as national health officials warn of the rapid spread of a virus that has already killed more than 240,000 Americans,” a statement released by the department read. “Public Safety officials recognize that all risk cannot be eliminated from our first responders’ jobs, but we must follow all best practices to lower the risk of infection and spread. Anyone who fails to do so will be disciplined.”