As two more firefighters were released from quarantine over the weekend, South King Fire and Rescue is stepping up precautionary measures to limit exposure to COVID-19.
There are currently no firefighters in quarantine as of Monday, March 23, said SKFR Community Affairs Officer Lt. Andrew Lowen, who added the outbreak is a “constantly evolving” situation.
Since late February, 12 firefighters in total have been quarantined for possible exposure to the virus, all of who completed the 14-day monitoring period without showing any signs or symptoms of COVID-19.
The first two firefighters to be quarantined were released on March 8 after possibly being exposed to the virus when responding to a call for service in late February.
In most cases, Lowen said, firefighters are unknowingly exposed to the virus on scene during the call, or are notified up to 11 days after the original emergency incident when the COVID-19 test results of a patient they previously assisted come back positive.