Paramedic Tests Positive After Transporting Coronavirus Patient

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — A Loudoun County Fire and Rescue System employee who had transported a coronavirus patient last week has tested positive for the new coronavirus, or COVID-19, the county said Monday.

While working Saturday, the Loudoun County first responder began to develop symptoms possibly consistent with the virus. The first responder and their crew members were immediately advised to quarantine and the system member with symptoms was tested.

On Monday, the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System was informed that the member had tested positive for the coronavirus. The first responder is currently recovering at home under isolation.

The first responders who were in close contact with either the COVID-19 positive patient transported last week or the infected fire and rescue member have been contacted and advised to quarantine, the county said.

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The Loudoun Fire and Rescue System is working with the Loudoun County Health Department to identify any members of the public who may have been in close contact with the system member. Fire and Rescue System employees and members of the public will be contacted directly by officials if there is an exposure concern.

Along with the COVID-19 positive member in isolation, 13 other Loudoun Fire and Rescue System members are in quarantine. Loudoun Fire and EMS officials said they are meeting with county and regional leaders to assess the impacts of the coronavirus on first responders.

The number of reported positive cases of the coronavirus increased by 241 in Virginia on Monday, according to the Virginia Department of Health. The 2,879 positive cases of the coronavirus, which causes the COVID-19 respiratory disease, includes 497 hospitalizations. The number of deaths from COVID-19 now stands at 54, up from 51 reported Sunday.

Loudoun County has reported 188 positive tests from the coronavirus.

The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors is expected to discuss the county's response to the coronavirus crisis, including the pandemic's impact on first responders, at its regular business meeting on Tuesday at 5 p.m. The meeting is being conducted as an electronic meeting under an emergency ordinance adopted by the board on March 25.

Members of the public who would like to ask a question during the virtual meeting may sign up by contacting the Office of the County Administrator at 703-777-0200 no later than noon Tuesday. Instructions will be provided to people who sign up for electronic public input prior to the meeting.

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