WASHINGTON — The DC Fire Department reports three more firefighters have tested positive for the coronavirus. That brings the total number of positive cases to 49.
As of Thursday, April 9, 10 of those positive cases have recovered and returned to full duty.
The three firefighters who tested positive are home on self-quarantine and are receiving support and guidance from the Department’s Medical Director, according to officials.
The Infection Control Group has already begun working to notify those in the Department who may have had some level of contact with any of them, officials said.
"The department has implemented an infection control group that is working very closely with D.C. Health so that we can assess and monitor and evaluate," Dean said.
A D.C. Fire and EMS spokesperson said the quarantined members are not having any impact on response, and all units are in service and operating at full capacity.
"To the men and women of the D.C. fire department who have volunteered to backfill all these members that are out, I must tell you I'm extremely proud of you for taking care of your community, and thank you very much," Dean said on Thursday.
Dabney Hudson, president of D.C. Firefighters Association IAFF Local 36, said the decision to quarantine additional firefighters comes from a heightened response to the virus. Local 36 has over 2,000 members and responds to roughly 220,000 emergency calls a year.
Mayor Muriel Bowser said just one first responder impacted by COVID-19 has a ripple effect in the entire service.
"DC Health is leading the contact tracing of the member who tested positive, an investigation that includes other FEMS members as well as members of the community," Dean said in a statement.
The decision to self-quarantine poses a unique challenge to District emergency response workers who are required to assist those in need but also are attempting to protect their own health.
At least 12 members of Prince George's County Fire and EMS chose to self-quarantine after going inside the home of a man who tested positive for the virus last week, Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks said.
"The department is following its policies and procedures regarding self-evaluation of those firefighters and will continue to monitor their conditions," Alsobrooks said.
