4 Livermore-Pleasanton Firefighters Test Positive For Coronavirus

PLEASANTON, CA – Four firefighters from the Livermore-Pleasanton Firefighters Union 1974 have tested positive for the coronavirus, the department’s deputy chief confirmed to Patch on Monday.

The positive cases were first announced in a social media post, which indicated that all four of the infected firefighters are in isolation. The post also reported that 10 members of the department have been in quarantine over the past week. Deputy chief Joe Testa wrote in an email to Patch Monday that 11 remain quarantined as they await a second test, which is expected to take place Monday.

Testa said there are 105 personnel covering the fire stations (35 per shift). Twenty one personnel were tested under the direction of the department's occupational health physician and a significant number of employees have participated in voluntary testing on their own, Testa said. No additional cases were identified in the voluntary testing.

Testa said that all four of the firefighters who have tested positive are in good condition and are not experiencing any symptoms of the coronavirus. The first case within the department was identified on June 19 and immediately after the first firefighter was diagnosed, three others were detected through contact tracing and aggressive testing.

“We do not believe that the community was ever placed at risk as strict personal protective equipment and practices had already been put in place,” Testa wrote in the email.

Despite the cases, the department has been able to maintain full staffing but Testa said that the number of cases raises a concern as the July 4 holiday approaches this weekend and in terms of the public's well-being. The department is encouraging local residents to wear face-coverings, maintain social distancing and continue to practice good habits to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

See Also:

• 18 Positive Coronavirus Cases, 1 Death At Livermore VA Facility