PORTSMOUTH, Va. - Five employees with Portsmouth Fire Rescue and Emergency Services have tested positive for coronavirus.
Chief Hoffler told News 3 that four of these employees are at home on isolation and one has returned to work after their systems cleared.
There are currently 11 employees who are on home isolation awaiting either test results or to show symptoms. Hoffler said the department does not test an employee unless they have symptoms that start to develop.
No one has been admitted to the hospital, Hoffler said.
The department has received direction from city council and city manager not to put the fire companies in Portsmouth out of service and to utilize overtime for staffing.
Last week, News 3 reporter Erin Miller reported that nine paramedics and firefighters in Portsmouth were taken off the streets after a possible exposure to COVID-19. Each of those people were reported to be in self-isolation at home after responding to an emergency call.
