Coronavirus Hits Concord Fire Department As 2 Test Positive

CONCORD, NH — Tuesday, it was Concord police and a city hall staffer. On Wednesday, it was SAU 8 school district employees. And now, on Thursday, it is the Concord Fire Department.

Two members of the department have tested positive for the coronavirus, according to Jennifer Johnston, the director of Human Resources and Labor Relations for the city of Concord. The employees did have contact with the public during department calls, she said, but added, "all protocols were followed including the use of N-95 masks, gloves, and other safety measures."

One employee tested positive Wednesday and was last working on Nov. 30. The second employee tested positive Thursday and was also last working on Nov. 30.

They are both in quarantine.

Three other employees who were working on the same shift as the two employees who tested positive are also being quarantined, Johnston said. The department, she said, was committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of Concord residents and city employees. Staffers will continue following COVID-19 guidelines.

Anyone concerned about the fire department infections should contact the state health department at 603-271-4496 for further guidance or contact tracing.

Concord police reported four employees during the past two weeks testing positive as well as a city employee. Since the middle of November, several Concord School District students and staffers have tested positive for the coronavirus. Cases have been reported in a few of the city's elementary schools as well as Concord High School, Rundlett Middle School, Bishop Brady High School, and St. John Regional Middle School.

Concord High and Rundlett students have moved to mostly remote learning through MLK Day 2021.

As of Wednesday, the city of Concord had 162 active cases of coronavirus — the most ever since the start of the pandemic in March.

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