8 Long Beach Firefighters Test Positive For Coronavirus

LONG BEACH, CA — Eight Long Beach firefighters tested positive for the new coronavirus, the City said Wednesday. All eight firefighters are in stable condition and are self-isolating at home.

There are 41 confirmed coronavirus cases in Long Beach, the City reported. Four of the firefighters are Long Beach residents and are included in the total, while the four others live in other cities.

“Our Long Beach Firefighters are community heroes, and they have been on the frontlines every day of this health crisis,” Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia said. “We are doing everything we can to provide support to these firefighters and their families. We recognize the seriousness of this latest development and are committed to doing all that we can to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Long Beach.”

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While the exact location and origin of exposure remains under investigation, Fire Station 11, located at 160 E. Market Street, was identified as one common location where those who tested positive had recently worked, the City news release said.

“The treatment of these firefighters, along with all of our current positive cases, remains our highest priority,” City Health Officer Dr. Anissa Davis said. “We are aware of the impact of these results on our community and understand the significant concerns this news brings. We are working diligently to identify potential situations where additional exposure may have occurred.”

The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services is investigating the details surrounding these exposures, the news release said. Since learning of these positive test results, the City has notified employees who may have been exposed; sanitized Fire Station 11 and all fire apparatus assigned there; and the Health Department has initiated investigations and will conduct additional testing as needed.

“As we wage this war on COVID-19 in our community, we do it with the understanding that there is significant risk to our personnel as we respond to the needs of those we serve,” Fire Chief Xavier Espino said. “The health of our public safety personnel is being monitored daily and we will continue to provide the necessary support to our employees and their families as we move forward.”

For the latest information on the coronavirus, visit the City of Long Beach coronavirus webpage.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Follow CDC's recommendations for using a facemask.
  • CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
  • Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

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