CINCINNATI — A second Cincinnati police officer has tested positive for COVID-19, police Chief Eliot Isaac announced Monday afternoon.
Lt. Steve Saunders wrote in a news release that the officer, who had been self-quarantined at home since their symptoms began, “is in good spirits and recuperating from the symptoms.”
One other officer was diagnosed March 28, prompting the Cincinnati Police Department to clean and sterilize District 3 headquarters. The second officer also worked at District 3, which serves the west side of the city.
A third District 3 officer remains quarantined with possible symptoms and awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test.
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“This confirmed test should reaffirm for everyone in the community that this virus has serious implications for public safety,” Isaac said. “We are stressing more than ever for citizens to heed Governor DeWine’s Stay-At-Home order and we need everyone to do their part to keep our city safe and healthy."
Despite the two confirmed diagnoses, District 3 headquarters on Ferguson Road will remain open. Cincinnatians should not expect any interruption in service, Saunders wrote.
Police officers across the country have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, leading some departments — including Cincinnati — to adjust their policing strategy in order to avoid unnecessary exposure.
The situation was especially severe in New York City, where NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said 818 officers had tested positive by Sunday afternoon and 4,600 were out sick.
