Benicia Firefighter Notifies City Of Positive Coronavirus Test
BENICIA, CA— A firefighter employed by the Benicia Fire Department informed the city Tuesday that they received a positive test result for the coronavirus.
The affected firefighter is self-quarantined at home and has not required hospitalization. Due to health privacy rights, the city is prohibited from providing any information about the identity of the affected firefighter.
All Benicia fire stations remain fully staffed and the city does not anticipate any disruption to service delivery, city officials said Tuesday in a news release.
This marks the third member of the Benicia Fire Department and the sixth City of Benicia employee to test positive for COVID-19, city officials said. The city is facilitating coronavirus testing for all employees who may have been exposed.
The source of the firefighter's infection has not yet been determined, but the Benicia Fire Department is working with the Solano County Public Health Department and is following and exceeding the county's guidance, the city said.
Benicia fire Chief Josh Chadwick has been in close contact with county health officials and has determined that, based on the firefighter’s last shift on duty and the date of onset of symptoms, there was no direct exposure to the community during the firefighter’s infectious period.
“We are fortunate that during the period of infection, the firefighter did not have direct contact with members of the public in the City of Benicia," Chadwick said. "The Benicia Fire Department is committed to preventing the spread of COVID-19 and ensuring the safety of the residents of Benicia."
The Benicia Fire Department has standing operating guidelines in place and abides by county protocols to limit or prevent the infection between patients and fire personnel. Fire personnel follow these guidelines and protocols during treatment and interaction with residents, the city said.
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This article originally appeared on the Benicia Patch
