Hub cops’ cases double overnight

Eight now test positive for coronavirus

Eight Boston Police officers have tested positive for coronavirus, a number that doubled overnight and comes as the commissioner sent a letter to all officers outlining efforts for slowing the spread.

The department announced Thursday that eight cops have tested positive for COVID-19, the rapidly spreading respiratory virus that’s sickened more than 2,400 people statewide and killed 25.

That comes just a day after BPD announced four officers had the virus, and less than a week after the first confirmed case on the force, which was announced Saturday.

Also on Thursday, Commissioner William Gross sent a letter to all police department employees outlining a range of efforts the department is making to cut down on the spread of the virus in the department.

“I want to thank you for your continued commitment and service to the City of Boston, its constituents, and each other,” Gross wrote. “These are difficult, trying, and uncertain times.”

Gross wrote that officers have been instructed to attempt to maintain the 6 feet of separation recommended by health professionals between themselves and members of the public.

To prevent spread within the department, BPD is staggering shifts of civilian and sworn employees and holding roll calls outside, Gross wrote.

It’s also using more wagons instead of cruisers for arrests, aiming to reduce contact between officers and arrestees. Officers are being told to prepare reports elsewhere, rather than returning to their stations.

Officers now receive notification when they’re being called to a house where people have tested positive for the virus, so they can take further precautions, including using personal protective equipment.