A Cincinnati Police officer who worked patrol duty has tested positive for the pandemic coronavirus that causes COVID-19, CPD Chief Eliot Isaac announced.
The officer is the first confirmed case of the virus in the department, though two others are also being tested. All three worked in CPD's District Three, which includes West Side neighborhoods like the Price Hills, North and South Fairmount, Sayler Park, Sedamsvville, South Cumminsville, Roll Hill and Westwood.
The officers are currently quarantining, according to CPD. The District Three headquarters is being deep-cleaned and all officers have been asked to work from alternate locations for the time being.
"While we know this is trying time for our officer that has tested positive, we are grateful that they are experiencing mild symptoms and we will support them and the entire Department as this pandemic impacts our city and the world," Isaac said in a news release. "We will continue to provide the highest level of police services, but we must emphasize the importance of social distancing and the steps we need to take as a society and as a department to keep our employees safe, so we can keep the public safe."
Because the officer in question worked patrols, it is possible he arrested or otherwise had contact with the public while contagious. The Cincinnati Health Department is tracing possible contacts the officer had.
