Four Covington firefighters are in self-quarantine days after a patient with whom they were in direct contact tested positive for the new coronavirus.
The first responders were sent to help load a patient into an ambulance on March 11, a statement from the City of Covington said.
The next day, the patient reported having some symptoms “associated with the COVID-19 virus,” to hospital staff, the statement said.
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Out of caution, the firefighters chose to self-quarantine and contacted the Department of Public Health to determine what course of action to take.
“At that time, the DPH advised the patient in question did not have symptoms to necessitate a COVID-19 test and quarantine was not necessary for the responding firefighters,” the statement said.
The firefighters then ended their quarantine.
However, on Saturday, DPH told the Covington Fire Department the patient who doctors previously said did not need to be tested for coronavirus had tested positive for the disease. The health department suggested all four of the firefighters who responded to the call return to self-quarantine for 10 more days.
“The Covington Fire Department and EMA are providing all resources for the firefighters during this time, including providing all meals,” the statement said.”
None of the firefighters currently show symptoms of the virus. The DPH has decided not to test the first responders “because of their lack of symptoms,” the statement said.
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