As COVID-19 rapidly spreads across Arizona, first responders face more positive cases within their ranks.
When police and firefighters get sick, it affects their co-workers but city officials say they are forging ahead, while union officials are worried.
In Phoenix, 86 of 1,732 Fire Department employees have tested positive for the virus. Most are not yet back at work. Two weeks ago, only 37 fire employees had tested positive.
This jump in cases comes as firefighters handle a growing number of COVID-19 calls. The Phoenix department responded to 460 COVID-19-suspected calls in May. That leapt to 1,208 COVID-19-suspected calls in June.
The Phoenix Police Department has reached 148 positive cases, more than doubling from just 63 two weeks ago.
Combined, fire and police make up nearly half of all positive cases among city workers in Phoenix, according to a city memo.