BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Police Department announced that two officers have tested positive for COVID-19 at the Eastern Police District.
42 members assigned to the district are quarantined, pending test results or evaluation from health partners, in accordance with CDC and medical guidelines.
BPD said these partners include health officials from Med Star Health, the Maryland Department of Health and the Baltimore City Health Department. The Eastern District and all affected vehicles have been sanitized.
The department has made operational adjustments so that there are no disruption in public safety services throughout the city and continues to follow the recommendations of public health officials at the local, state and federal level.
Prior to these operational adjustments at the Eastern District, the department enacted protocols for officers to wear personal protection equipment at all times, complete daily health checks, to include twice a day temperature checks and remaining alert for any respiratory distress symptoms.
31 members have tested positive for COVID-19, and 68 members are currently out on quarantine, as of Wednesday afternoon.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, 428 members of the department have been quarantined for some length of time due to potential exposure to COVID-19, to include travel from high-risk areas, displaying flu-like symptoms or symptoms of a respiratory illness.
Of the 428 employees who’ve been quarantined, 360 have been cleared to return to work. Additionally, 25 members that previously tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered and were cleared to return back to work.
“Out of an abundance of caution, the department is temporarily adjusting operations as a precautionary measure for the agency,” said Commissioner Harrison. “The safety of our members and citizens continues to be my top priority during this critical time, and we will continue to take the necessary steps to protect our members and the community."
