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DC Fire & EMS Chief Gregory Dean announced to department personnel that seven more members have tested positive for COVID-19, raising the total to 21.
In a department-wide message sent early Wednesday, Dean also said that 17 tests conducted Monday came back negative, and that nine of the 21 members who have tested positive have recovered and will soon be back on duty.
"If you were in contact with the infected members but have not been contacted by someone from our Infection Control Group, you should contact them directly to report your exposure or any suspected exposures," Dean wrote in the message.
Dean says the agency's Infection Control Group is working in coordination with DC Health to notify department members who have had some level of contact with any infected members since the onset of their symptoms.
"We ask that you continue to take this pandemic seriously," the chief says in closing. "Please continue to utilize the proper PPE on each medical call and patient contact to reduce your risk of exposure. ... If you feel sick, do not come to work. Your health and safety are our top priority."
