Hamilton police officer, Six Nations officer test positive for COVID-19
'The member is doing well and is recovering at home,' according to the service
A frontline Hamilton police officer has tested positive for COVID-19.
The service was notified of the confirmed test Monday, according to a media release, which said the officer is believed to have contracted the virus within the community. They are now in isolation at home.
"The officer is feeling fine and healthy and now awaiting direction from public health as to when [they] can return to work," said police spokesperson Jackie Penman.
The patrol officer's last contact with the community was on March 12, says the service.
Penman says the officer started to feel ill while they were at home with their family during March break.
He or she returned to work March 22 after starting to feel better, but was still coughing and wearing a mask, she added.
"A supervisor realized the officer was showing signs of an illness and sent the officer home."
Penman would not say which station the officer in question worked out of. She did say no other officers are in isolation, though several have been directed to self-monitor for symptoms.
"Anyone who is feeling any signs of illness is to stay home," said Penman. "If you're sick, please do not come to work."
The case comes after Hamilton police restricted access to all facilities to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Our facilities are restricted to public visitors in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HamOnt?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HamOnt</a> but you can still access many services online at <a href="https://t.co/8Xe8HLggS4">https://t.co/8Xe8HLggS4</a>. In an emergency, please dial 911. For non-emergencies call 905-546-4925 or report online at <a href="https://t.co/zfi6I3GXoS">https://t.co/zfi6I3GXoS</a>, <a href="https://t.co/LB3biwQwIA">pic.twitter.com/LB3biwQwIA</a>
—@HamiltonPoliceThe service says it's continuing to carry out essential services and respond to emergency and non-emergency calls, but notes that when possible officers may handle reports over the phone.
Hamilton had 101 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of noon Tuesday, as well as one death and 27 presumed cases at the Heritage Green Nursing Home in Stoney Creek.
Six Nations officer also tested positive
The Hamilton officer with COVID-19 is not the only area law enforcement official to contract the coronavirus.
A plainclothes officer with Six Nations police also tested positive Saturday.
Police there say the officer has been in self-isolation since March 17 after coming into contact with a family member who had travelled to the U.S.
"Due to early self isolation he did not pose a risk to the public," reads a statement shared on Facebook.
Officers working on Six Nations are continuing to respond to calls, but may be wearing protective equipment including gloves and masks to keep them safe.
"Six Nations Police want the public to know that they are taking COVID-19 very seriously," the statement adds. "Stay Healthy and Stay Safe."