Police officer tests positive for COVID-19

An Orlando Police Department officer who had no symptoms tested positive recently for COVID-19, a spokeswoman for the agency said Thursday.

The officer is now quarantining for the CDC-recommended 14-day period. OPD spokeswoman Autumn Jones said seven other officers who may have been exposed were tested and are also quarantining themselves.

None of those officers have experienced symptoms associated with COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, Jones said.

Though the officers had been responding to calls prior to the positive test result, Jones said the likelihood that a resident was exposed to the virus remains low because officers wear personal protective equipment when interacting with the public.

“Our officers continue to use PPE while on patrol and responding to calls, providing an additional level of protection for the community during this challenging time,” she said.

It’s unclear in what area of the city the officer who tested positive had been working. Jones said the agency is “not allowed to disclose any medical information related to our employees, including specific dates and locations,” due to medical privacy laws.

Only one other Orlando officer has been diagnosed with COVID-19. That officer, who received a positive test in March, had been experiencing flu-like symptoms but had been quarantining prior to receiving a test, OPD said.