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6 Berea firefighters test positive for coronavirus, city asking for PPE donations

Posted at 4:04 PM, Mar 31, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-31 16:04:54-04

BEREA, Ohio — The city of Berea announced Tuesday that six firefighter/paramedics have tested positive for COVID-19.

According to the city, the firefighters who have been diagnosed with the virus are under quarantine with their families and recovering at home.

Health officials in each county where the firefighters reside are monitoring the situation, the city stated.

The city released the following statement on Facebook:

The safety of our first responders and the public is a paramount concern. The fire station is routinely cleaned. However, upon notice of the first positive test, cleaning and disinfecting has become even more frequent. In addition, the City contracted with a company to professionally disinfect the station and apparatus through the use of commercial grade equipment and products.

Out of an abundance of caution, employees having direct exposure to an employee with a positive test result, were sent home for one or more shifts.

The city is asking anyone who may have any spare personal protective equipment (PPE) to donate it to the city due to short supply. Donations can be dropped off in the lobby of the Berea Police Department, 17 Berea Commons.

Additional Coronavirus information and resources:

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Click here for a page with resources including a COVID-19 overview from the CDC, details on cases in Ohio, a timeline of Governor Mike DeWine's orders since the outbreak, coronavirus' impact on Northeast Ohio, and link to more information from the Ohio Department of Health, the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, the CDC and the WHO.

View a global coronavirus tracker with data from Johns Hopkins University.

Here is everything you need to know about testing for coronavirus in Ohio.

Here's a list of things in Northeast Ohio closed due to coronavirus concerns

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