LBPD Officer Among 16 New Coronavirus Cases In Long Beach

LONG BEACH, CA — A Long Beach police officer who tested positive for coronavirus was among 16 more cases reported by city officials Friday.

Long Beach, which maintains a health department separate from the county, now has a total of 70 cases.

The police officer, who was not identified, is in isolation. City officials said the officer works in the West Patrol Division and was tested for COVID-19 after exhibiting flu-like symptoms. The officer was placed in isolation after testing positive, and the officer's partner was directed to begin a mandatory 14-day quarantine.

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Health officials said they are still investigating how the officer was exposed to the virus.

"Our police officers are on the front lines every day, bravely putting themselves in harm's way to protect our community," Mayor Robert Garcia said in a statement. "We are providing support to the impacted employees and their families and continuing our efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our city."

City officials said the West Patrol Division facility was being deep- cleaned, along with patrol vehicles based at the station.

The Los Angeles Police Department reported Thursday that the number of its employees testing positive for the illness had risen to 15. It was not immediately clear how many of those are officers.

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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City News Service contributed to this post