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The city of South Fulton announced overnight that three firefighters are quarantined to their homes after coming into contact with the coronavirus-infected teacher who prompted Fulton County district schools to close Tuesday.
The city’s communications staff sent a 1:15 a.m. news release saying Fire Station 15 on Cedar Grove Road was closing and the undisclosed number of firefighters would be quarantined 14 days to reduce the chance of the deadly virus spreading.
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“The decision comes after Engine 15 responded to a person fainted call last Friday at Bear Creek Middle School. Since responding to the incident, the individual in question has tested presumptive positive for the Coronavirus,” the city said.
The school district did not identify the teacher Monday, but the teacher has classes at both Bear Creek and Woodland middle schools. Those schools closed early Monday along with Creekside High, near Bear Creek, because the schools share staff and many families have students at both the middle and high schools.
None of the firefighters who came in contact with the teacher are showing symptoms but were still told to stay at home two weeks by South Fulton’s Medical Director Dr. James Augustine, said the city.
Coronavirus Resources:
- International Association of Fire Fighters Tool Kit
- International Association of Fire Chiefs Resource Page
- Watch IAFF's National Briefing on Coronavirus Outbreak
Firefighters who worked another shift at Station 15 have been reassigned to work at other stations, the city said.
Staff will clean Station 15 with approve products and are using an “Ozone machine to deplete the Oxygen levels, therefore killing the virus.”
What happens if the city’s 100,000 residents needs the help of firefighters?
South Fulton has an agreement with Fairburn and Union City in which “each agency will provide assistance in the event of a fire to ensure there is adequate coverage for the residents in the area of Station 15.”
The city government offices have also delayed opening to the public until noon Tuesday.
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