Orlando Fire Department to test all firefighters after several test positive for COVID-19

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Fire Department said it will test all of its firefighters for COVID-19 after several of them tested positive for the virus.

A sudden jump in cases caused OFD to quarantine at least 68 firefighters in connection with the positive tests.

Channel 9 reported Thursday that the number of COVID-19 positive firefighters had climbed after more than 100 firefighters attended a training picnic for new hires and their families, plus a pickleball tournament.

Read: Number of COVID-19 positive Orlando firefighters quadruples to 28 with 87 firefighters now in quarantine

Firefighters at both events tested positive for coronavirus. One of the recent cases is from of Station 1.

110 firefighters across the city were tested in total the first time around, and dozens came back negative.

But with 68 out of the OFD’s 500 firefighters either positive or quarantined, a spokesperson said they had already committed to retesting a week after the initial results.

Through a partnership with Orlando Health, the spokesperson said the department is able to test all firefighters, including administrative staff.

They hope this will help stop the spread of the virus and assist in contact tracing.

Orlando Fire Department Chief Benjamin Barksdale said early positive cases were among firefighters who were experiencing symptoms during the morning and evening wellness checks.

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