Peduto says shared COVID-19 case info will help first responders

Pennsylvania health officials may soon share the locations of COVID-19 cases with Pittsburgh officials, Mayor Bill Peduto said Wednesday, but details on an agreement meant to minimize risk for first responders were still scarce by week’s end.

Situations last week highlighted the risk to city workers. Pittsburgh police officers self-isolated on March 23 after responding to a crash in which the driver displayed symptoms of the disease triggered by the novel coronavirus. (They have since returned to work after the driver tested negative.) Then, on Wednesday, city trash and recycling workers demanded more protection and information after a co-worker was sent home to self-isolate because of a risk that his spouse was exposed. And according to the city, as of Friday, two EMS workers remain selfisolated due to possible exposure.

But distributing information on the latest virus case locations “is not done by the city. That is controlled by the state Department of Health and the Allegheny County Health Department on any person who has contracted the coronavirus,” Mr. Peduto said.

“We hope to have an agreement with Gov. [Tom] Wolf today that would allow our medical director, Dr. [Ronald] Roth, to be able to receive information of any case within the city of Pittsburgh so that we can then determine whether any of our city officials, especially our public safety officials, have been in contact with that individual,” the mayor said Wednesday. “You can imagine that some people are being dropped off at the hospital by a loved one, but maybe two days before, there were medics in their living room.”

When asked during the governor’s daily virtual news conference Wednesday, Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said, “We’re in discussions with the city of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County to try to provide information to protect our emergency first responders like police and fire departments.”

But on Friday, state health department news inquiries on the matter were directed to the Allegheny County Health Department.

In response to whether an agreement had been been reached, county spokeswoman Amie Downs said, “We appreciate the inquiry, but are not sharing anything with the press at this time on this issue.”

“Talks continue,” said Mr. Peduto’s spokesman, Timothy McNulty, who did not offer further comment.

The city’s Public Safety Department began special training and providing personal protective equipment — masks, gloves, goggles and hand sanitizer — on Feb. 27. Additionally, 911 call takers are screening patients for COVID-19 concerns before sending emergency responders on calls. And if a case is suspected, a special EMS assessment team will be dispatched, department officials said.

“My concern and focus is on the health and well-being of all the residents of the city of Pittsburgh,” Wendell Hissrich, the department’s director, said at a March 20 news conference. “For first responders, this is particularly important now during this emergency scenario. We rely on them to keep the public safe. But if their health and their families’ health is not being protected, it diminishes their ability to protect and serve the community. I share their concerns and hope that we come to a resolution expeditiously.”

Ten firefighters last week have been sent home for various reasons, including fever, runny nose and coughing, and were advised not to return to work until they are symptomfree for 72 hours “out of an abundance of caution,” a spokesman for the public safety department said.

In addition, five more firefighters remain out after they were placed in 14-day isolation last week for reasons including recent travel and concern over compromised immune systems or symptoms.

Regarding concerns from city sanitation workers, Mr. Peduto said Wednesday that his administration is communicating with union leaders on protective measures.