Nassau County Police Officer Tests Positive For Coronavirus

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — A Nassau County Police Department officer has tested positive for the new coronavirus, officials confirmed on Thursday. It is the first confirmed case of a police officer on Long Island contracting the disease.

The officer, who has not been identified, has not been hospitalized. They are in self-quarantine while they recover from the virus.

"While there is fear among all, police officers are courageously going on patrol, and protecting our communities," said James McDermott, president of the Nassau County Police Benevolent Association. "Critical to the safety of the officers is the adherence by the residents of Nassau County to expert's recommendations: stay home, avoid gatherings of more than a few people, observe social distancing. The public must help protect those who are protecting everyone, and while we do not have the luxury of working from home, Nassau Police officers will continue to do their jobs for the safety of us all.”

The news of the officer's infection comes as more and more cases are identified among Long Island residents. As of Thursday morning, there were 372 confirmed cases in Nassau, according to numbers from the state. That is only expected to increase as more tests are completed.

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Police officers and first responders around the area have been issued masks, gloves and protective aprons they can wear while responding to calls. But they are still at a high risk of being infected, since they will come into contact with many people as part of their jobs.

New York now has the most cases of the virus in the country, but people are recovering. Of those hospitalized, more than 100 have already been discharged. The first person to contract the virus in the state — a healthcare worker who had just returned from Iran — has already recovered at her home and a recent test showed she was negative for coronavirus.

"For 80 percent of the people, that's what will happen," Cuomo said. "She was never hospitalized, and she resolved two weeks later. That's what people have to keep in mind."

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