BEREA, Ohio — The city of Berea has confirmed to 3News that six members of its firefighting/paramedics team have tested positive for COVID-19.
Several other firefighters were tested with negative results.
According to the city, those employees with positive test results and their families are subject to quarantine orders issued by various Boards of Health and are recovering comfortably at home.
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 safety of our first responders and the public is a paramount concern," the city writes in a statement to 3News. "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."
According to the city, the cases of coronavirus in the department are monitored by the Board of Health in the county where they employee resides. The city says it is in close contact with the Boards of Health from Cuyahoga, Lorain and Medina Counties. They are also working under the close supervision of Dr. Susan E. Tout, of Southwest General Health Center.
Berea Fire Chief Mark Kaufhold is communicating regularly with the chiefs in neighboring cities to ensure that the Berea Fire Department is in position to continue to assist and support each other for the duration of the public health crisis.
Also, donations of much-needed personal protective equipment (PPE) may be dropped-off in the lobby of the Berea Police Department, located at 17 Berea Commons.
Click here for our special coronavirus section.
RELATED: Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services offering step-by-step guide to filing for unemployment