Yesterday evening, the Santa Clara Police Department (SCPD) was notified that one police officer tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). The officer, who is not being identified, last worked on March 9. Since then, they have been self-isolating at home and will remain there for 14 days. The officer is expected to make a full recovery.
Steps are underway to notify other employees, staff and the public who may have come in contact with this officer who is infected with the coronavirus. It’s unclear how the officer became infected.
“The health and safety of our employees and community members are of utmost importance. Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Police Department has followed the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department’s recommendations. Upon learning of the positive test result, the Police Department implemented further practices to help protect our employees and the community,” said SCPD in a press release.
“Moving forward, the Police Department will continue to adhere to the guidelines and recommendations of County Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”
On March 16, Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor also clarified, due to the Bay Area-wide shelter in place order, that the City of Santa Clara will only be providing essential services, but that police and fire will not change. However, they will be wearing additional protective gear while on calls.
Mayor Gillmor also announced the closure of the City’s libraries, community centers, and other city gathering spaces. She also said that City Hall is by appointment only and that upcoming City events are cancelled.
As of March 15 at 5 p.m. Santa Clara County has 138 cases. Of those cases, 52 are hospitalized, 17 are associated with international travel, 30 are close contacts of known cases, and 63 are presumed community transmission. There have also been, sadly, 4 deaths related to the coronavirus in the County of Santa Clara — two of which were just announced yesterday. One was an adult man in his 80s who was hospitalized on Saturday, March 7 and passed away on Sunday, March 15. The other was an adult man in his 50s who was hospitalized on Thursday, March 12 and passed away on Sunday, March 15.
Regular updates regarding COVID-19 are available on the City website, SantaClaraCA.gov/CoronavirusUpdates. However, for health information, visit the Santa Clara County Public Health Department’s website, https://www.sccgov.org/sites/phd/DiseaseInformation/novel-coronavirus/Pages/home.aspx