INDIANAPOLIS — More than 50 Indianapolis police officers, firefighters and emergency medical services providers have been diagnosed with COVID-19, but almost two dozen have recovered and returned to work, the city announced Monday.
Aliya Wishner, chief communications officer for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, City of Indianapolis, provided statistics showing a total of 53 first responders with IMPD, the Indianapolis Fire Department and Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services tested positive for the coronavirus, and 22 have been cleared and are back on the job.
A breakdown of the numbers shows:
Wishner said in a release that police officers, firefighters and IEMS providers are instructed to practice social distancing whenever possible, wash or sanitize their hands frequently and wear personal protective equipment on each run.
She added that first responders who test positive for COVID-19 are self-quarantined at home and monitored for the progression of any symptoms they experience.
Firefighters, police officers and IEMS providers can only return to work after they are medically cleared by a doctor.
Wishner said anyone calling 911 is asked to be honest with the dispatcher about any flu-like issues they or anyone in their family are experiencing and that residents should meet responders at the door or on the front porch if they are able.
