Third Fort Worth police officer tests positive for coronavirus, department says
A third Fort Worth police officer who had worked in the same unit as the other officers with the virus has tested positive for coronavirus, police officials announced on Tuesday.
The officer is in self-isolation at home, just like the other two.
“We are taking every precaution to stop the spread,” according to a statement released Tuesday afternoon by police officials. “Our department has created a dedicated team to investigate and backtrack the movements and encounters of these officers with others. They are notifying anyone that may be at risk and may need to self-isolate.”
Police officials noted they have disinfected vehicles and office spaces where the officers worked.
On Sunday, Fort Worth police officials announced two Fort Worth police officers had tested positive for coronavirus.
A third Dallas police officer also had tested positive for COVID-19, police officials announced Monday.
Dallas police officials on Monday were notified that an officer who works at the academy had tested positive for the coronavirus.
The officer, who began feeling sick earlier this month, has been out of the office since March 18, Dallas police officials said. The officer is home and recuperating.
No one else at the academy had shown any signs or symptoms as of Monday.
A Dallas police medical team will determine if any other officers will need to be quarantine.
A professional contractor has sprayed and sanitized the area where the officer had been working.
Earlier this month, a Dallas officer who works in the northeast patrol was the first officer in North Texas to be presumed positive for the coronavirus. Police have said he’s self-quarantined and doing well.
A second Dallas police officer tested presumed positive for the coronavirus just a few days ago, officials at the Dallas department confirmed.
The officer, who works in the central patrol, reportedly had a positive test result Friday. His last day at work was Thursday, police said in a news release, and he’s “currently doing well” as he self-isolates. A co-worker who had close contact with him is also quarantined as a precaution.
The department is hoping to prevent the spread of the virus among its officers by providing 3,200 bottles of hand sanitizer, 6,000 boxes of gloves and increased sanitizing of all common areas at facilities such as main entrances, elevators and restrooms.
Four Plano Police Department employees have tested positive for the virus, according to officials.
This story was originally published March 31, 2020 at 8:54 AM with the headline "Third Fort Worth police officer tests positive for coronavirus, department says."
