Within the past week a Scottsdale Fire Department engine company was called to evaluate a man who later tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). See the Maricopa County Department of Public Health and the Arizona Department of Health Services announcement here.
Scottsdale Fire paramedics assisted Maricopa Ambulance in transporting the man to a local hospital.
Once the positive coronavirus test was received, the four-person fire crew and two-person ambulance crew were excluded from work as a precautionary measure and will follow social distancing guidelines for 12-14 days per direction from Maricopa County Public Health.
Since then, one Scottsdale Fire employee has been cleared to return to work.
None of the fire/ambulance crew members show any symptoms of illness.
Emergency medical responders and health care institutions are trained and equipped to respond to infectious diseases.
Because the personnel involved followed standard practices and procedures to limit exposure to contagions, there is no cause for concern among anyone else who they subsequently may have cared for.
Maricopa County Public Health advises that in cases like this they interview the patient, evaluate his/her particular circumstances and determine anyone else who may be at risk. Those individuals are then contacted and provided guidance on what they should do.
If you have not been contacted, public health has determined that you are not at risk of contracting COVID-19 from this individual.
For the latest updates and facts about COVID-19 visit Maricopa.gov/coronaviruslinks to external site.
Source:
Kelly Corsette
City of Scottsdale Communications + Public Affairs Director
