The total number of Chicago first responders who have tested positive for COVID-19 rose to 11 on Tuesday, as a mix of Chicago Police detectives, patrol officers, firefighters and paramedics became sickened by the coronavirus.
Six of the cases are in the Chicago Police Department, and five in the Chicago Fire Department, leaders of the two departments said. Two of the Chicago Police employees are recovering from the coronavirus in hospitals, Interim Police Supt. Charlie Beck said. All five Chicago Fire Department employees are recovering from the virus at home, Fire Commissioner Richard Ford II said.
More than 12,000 kits of personnel protective equipment such as respiratory masks have been distributed throughout the police department, Beck said.