The NYPD saw the number of officers who tested positive for coronavirus increase from 20 to 35 overnight, says Commissioner Dermot Shea, who adds that more cops are calling out sick as well, and that his expectations are, ‘It’s going to get worse’.
‘I think that’s pretty apparent to everyone as more tests are made available,’ he said in an interview on Friday.
Shea called it very positive news,’ that the department’s current tally of 35 officers infected with the deadly, flu-like virus, also known as COVID-19, are not hospitalized.
The NYPD saw the number of officers who tested positive for coronavirus increase from 20 to 35 overnight, says Commissioner Dermot Shea. NYPD officers who are not stricken with the deadly virus are seen walking Times Square
NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea adds that more cops are calling out sick as well, and that his expectations are, ‘It’s going to get worse’. Officers stand guard outside the 9/11 Memorial in Lower Manhattan
‘I think that’s pretty apparent to everyone as more tests are made available,’ he said in an interview on Friday.
However, one officer with pneumonia is presently being treated in a hospital, he told Fox News.
‘There are concerns throughout the department but there’s a glimmer of hope here, as well,’ Shea says.
There are now 7,102 cases in New York State, including 4,408 in New York City.
Coronavirus cases across the United States as of Friday afternoon
The city’s 1st Precinct is considered the hardest hit with at least 31 officers who called out sick. That translates into about 17 per cent of the precinct’s staffing. The decrease prompted the department to bring in the NYPD Movie and Television Unit to fill in the depleted ranks.
‘We will be moving resources around,’ Shea said. ‘We’re in a good place still in terms of manpower. We are well-resourced.’
Shea said the department is not to the point of having to extend work hours for on-duty officers.
The police union last week filed a complaint arguing the department failed to provide protective, cleaning and sanitizing supplies to its officers. Shea says the department is working on getting more masks for officers, but insisted that any cop who wants a mask or hand sanitizer, can ‘absolutely’ get one.
‘We’re in a good place, but it could always be better,’ Shea said about the department’s supplies. ‘I’m more worried as we project out.’
‘We’re in a good place, but it could always be better,’ Shea said about the department’s supplies. ‘I’m more worried as we project out’
The department is exploring obtaining more full-body Tyvek protective suits for its officers.
‘That’s not something that we use that many of, but we’re making sure that if we need them, we have a supply of them,’ Shea explained.
‘If we have to transport somebody, for example, that has [a] confirmed cold and it’s going to be for an extended period of time, the officers may not want to even go to that direction but if they do, I think it’s important that we have that available to put them at ease. ‘
The department has stepped up cleaning of its facilities, staggered work schedules and has cops screened and monitored daily by NYPD physicians before they come back to work.
But some officers told Fox News they are concerned that they are being told to continue to come to work — even if they come in contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus, as long as they were not less than six feet from the person.
Others worry that their health is not being prioritized during the pandemic, similarly to when first responders were put on the frontlines after the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks and told that breathing the air at Ground Zero was safe.
Shea says officers can call the NYPD sick desk.
A panel, that includes doctors, will be decidinug who should be quarantined on a case-by-case basis. Cops do not have to be symptomatic.