NYPD Film Unit Fills In As 31 Cops Call Out Sick: Report

DOWNTOWN, MANHATTAN — The NYPD Movie and Television Unit was called to fill in at a Lower Manhattan precinct where more than 30 officers called out sick after one cop tested positive for the coronavirus, the New York Post reports.

The unit, which usually helps out movie and television crews that film in New York City, was brought in to help cover at the 1st Precinct stationhouse, which covers the World Trade Center, SoHo, Tribeca and Wall Street.

A police source told the Post that staffing at the station was down 17 percent, including a commanding officer and executive officer who had called out.

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A total of 31 officers have called out sick in recent days. Seventeen complained of flu-like symptoms and are being monitored by the department, officials said.

At least three other NYPD employees have tested positive for the virus, including Deputy Commissioner for Employee Relations Robert L. Ganley, whose case was revealed on Monday, and Transit Bureau Chief Edward Delatorre, whose confirmation came out Tuesday.

The news comes as half of New York's workforce was ordered by Gov. Andrew Cuomo to stay homeon Wednesday. Workers that provide "essential services" are exempt from the order.

New York City's confirmed coronavirus case count reached 1,339 as of Wednesday, Cuomo said.