GREENSBORO, N.C. — A Greensboro firefighter has tested positive for COVID-19.
The firefighter is currently in quarantine at this time. The Greensboro Fire Department said it’s taking precautions to help reduce the risk of further spreading the virus to other firefighters.
The Greensboro Fire Department said it’s also decontaminating all spaces and equipment the employee could have come in contact with at the time of exposure.
"Obviously it has been a trying time for all of us," Greensboro Fire Chief Bobby Nugent said.
The test results came back Wednesday, but the chief said the last time that firefighter was inside a fire station was last Friday.
"He did come in and started feeling bad when he was at the fire station and started running fever, so then based on protocol we sent him home and had him tested and obviously we now know the result was a positive."
Three other firefighters he came into contact with are self-quarantining.
"The other firefighters have been quarantined through the proper time frame and if they have any symptoms or any issue then we would have them tested as well."
The Chief says they're able to track every emergency call he's responded to. The department is taking a hard look, to see if there is anything they can do differently moving forward.
"We can go back, do our research and try to isolate what may have happened," Nugent explained. "It'll give us a good picture of what are we doing out there, if there are things we need to change in our protocols to keep our folks even safer than what we're doing now."
The department is utilizing personal protective equipment on calls, and deep cleaning.
The Chief says the firefighter who has coronavirus no longer has a fever, is doing well, and could get back to work as soon as next Sunday.
CORONAVIRUS NEWS
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