8 LAPD Officers Sickened With The Coronavirus

LOS ANGELES, CA — Eight Los Angeles Police Department officers and one civilian employee have tested positive for the coronavirus, and all nine are under quarantine at home, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. One of the sickened officers had recently returned from oversees travel and was allowed to work while sick last week over the protests of fellow officers, according to a report by the Los Angeles Times.

As the coronavirus spreads through Los Angeles, first responders on the frontlines are increasingly being exposed to the disease. Department officials are having to grapple with allowing employees to stay home sick at a time they are sorely needed to help Los Angeles through the pandemic. Maintaining safe social distances remains a challenge for police and firefighters. In Orange County, a firefighter contracted the virus, forcing his entire station into quarantine.

The Los Angeles Police Department is expected to switch officers to 12-hour shifts soon and temporarily suspend all vacations to ensure adequate staffing for the crisis, according to the Times. That report cited a law enforcement source who "was unable to speak publicly."

Information about the nine employees was not immediately available, but at least one of the officers was exhibiting symptoms inside the Los Angeles Police Department's Central Division station for several days last week, according to the department.

The officer, who had recently returned from a vacation out of the country, was "coughing and sweating" during roll call in Central Division, which patrols areas that include downtown Los Angeles, two of the officials said.

Despite protests from several officers in the station, the affected officer was allowed to work for at least two days this week, according to the Los Angeles Times. The officer was finally sent home after a supervisor learned of his condition, the LAPD reported.

The officer was tested for the virus, and a positive result came back Saturday, according to three law enforcement officials. Additional officers who worked with the afflicted patrol officer were expected to be quarantined, officials said.

"The health and safety of our men and women continue to be our top priority and we will make every effort to test individuals experiencing symptoms," police said in a statement Monday.

"We are deeply concerned for the health and safety of all Los Angeles police officers who continue to serve during the coronavirus pandemic and for those that have tested positive we are working with the department to ensure they receive all the support we can muster for not only the infected officers but for their families as well," the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union that represents the LAPD rank-an- file said in a statement to City News Service.

"The LAPPL is working around the clock to address individual issues, concerns and questions as they arise and we urge all Angelenos to stay home as we weather this storm."

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.