Over 20 Durham firefighters in quarantine after possible COVID exposure Julian Shen-Berro, The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.)
Jan. 12 DURHAM More than 20 Durham firefighters are under quarantine due to potential COVID-19 exposure, the Durham Fire Department said Tuesday.
The 21 firefighters make up 5.9% of the department s operations staff, but Fire Chief Robert Zoldos stresses that the quarantines have not affected the department s service. The local fire engine that someone counts on is there, Zoldos told The News & Observer. It s staffed today, it ll be staffed tomorrow, it ll be staffed forever and there s never been a worry with that.
Since March, when the first coronavirus case was diagnosed in North Carolina, 30 members of the department s operations staff have tested positive for COVID-19, according to a department news release.
DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) Durham Fire Chief Robert Zoldos responded Tuesday to reports that more than 30 Durham firefighters across five stations were out for possible COVID-19 exposure. First and foremost, this department has continued to fulfill its mission of keeping Durham residents safe throughout this global pandemic, Zoldos said.
The International Association of Firefighters local 668 said Fire Station 1 was affected and said that recently there have been upward of 65 people out at a time.
In total 35 firefighters have tested positive for the virus since March, according to Chapter President Jimie Wright.
IAFF 668 said Monday that 35 firefighters are currently out from three different shifts across five stations.