Firefighter tests positive for COVID-19

One Orange County firefighter has tested positive for COVID-19 and 15 others are being quarantined after “possible work-related” exposures to the virus that causes the disease, an OCFR spokeswoman said.

In an email, spokeswoman Carrie Proudfit said four other employees at the fire department are also selfquarantining “based upon recent travel, potential outside exposure, and/or possible illness in accordance to the county’s policy to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.”

The firefighter who tested positive was not experiencing symptoms on his most recent shift, but “later showed signs of illness, prompting the test,” Proudfit said.

She added the others are self quarantining because “it was suspected or concluded that crew members had contact or transported an individual with COVID,” which is the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

make sure he had what he needed.

“I just don’t have anything right now,” the 27-year-old Orlando resident said. “Everybody’s running out. … Just seeing it just disappear real quick.”

At the same time gun sales are on the rise, firsttime concealed weapons license applications have been delayed because of fingerprinting services being suspended, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said.

“The health, safety and well-being of the men and women of the Orange County Fire Rescue Department (OCFRD) and their loved ones remains paramount to this department,” Proudfit said in the email.

The Orlando Fire Department on Sunday said four of its firefighters had been quarantined for coming in contact with patients who later tested positive, but none of the first responders had shown symptoms.

On Tuesday, the Orange

Concealed weapon licensees will have an additional 30 days to renew their expiring licenses and renewal application late fees have also been suspended.

At The Armories stores in Central Florida, business started to pick up on March 12 and has increased by about 300%, Motes said in a telephone interview. Popular purchases include handguns and pump-action shotguns.

“First-time gun owners just typically think that that’s the best home-defense

County Sheriff’s Office announced a deputy had tested positive for the disease, though he hadn’t been to work over the previous three weeks, Sheriff John Mina said. One Orlando Police officer has also tested positive, the agency said Sunday.

Across the state, there were more than 2,000 positive cases of COVID-19 Thursday afternoon, according to the Florida Department of Health. tool,” Motes said of the shotguns.

Motes said he has stressed gun safety, such as proper firearm handling and storage, during the rush on guns by potential first-time owners.

“All of our team members have been trained to take their time with new gun buyers,” he said.