Coronavirus cases seep into the ranks of Newport Beach first responders
The Newport Beach Fire Department is feeling the effect of the coronavirus among its own ranks.
Ten firefighters and 11 lifeguards had tested positive for the virus, Fire Chief Jeff Boyles confirmed Friday.
Boyles said the virus apparently broke through to his crews through community spread and not while directly treating coronavirus patients. He said all fire stations and trucks remain staffed, and cleaning protocols have been tweaked. Newport Beach Fire is not sending crews to out-of-county wildland fires.
“We have been very vigilant when we go on calls with what we know to be sick people, but people have lives outside of work,” Boyles told the City Council at its last meeting on July 14.
An additional 30 firefighters and 21 lifeguards have quarantined at some point in July, Boyles said Friday. Going into this weekend, 11 lifeguards — four positive and seven in quarantine — were off duty. Four firefighters — all recovering after testing positive, none left in quarantine — were away from work.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/coronavirus-cases-seep-into-the-ranks-of-newport-beach-first-responders/ar-BB17bOZQ?li=BBnbcA1&ocid=DELLDHP
