Mission firefighter tests positive for COVID-19
The first confirmed case of COVID-19 has been reported in the Mission Fire Department.
The Mission Firefighter’s Association Post 3609 announced the case in a Wednesday morning social media post.
“We are still on the frontlines responding to all emergencies and non-emergency calls with personal protective equipment,” the post read. “We urge the public to please protect yourself and follow all CDC guidelines and recommendations.”
According to a news release from the city, the first responder has been directed to self-quarantine at home.
“Everyone that was in direct contact with the firefighter has been properly notified, and we have asked them to self-quarantine,” Chief Gilbert Sanchez said in a statement. “Rest assured, we are taking every precaution possible to safeguard our firefighters and employees in our department. Our number one priority is their health and well being and continuing to provide exceptional service to our community with safety protocols in place.”
The city is undergoing a deep cleaning of workstations and common areas at the fire station and germ fighting e-misters are also being utilized used to sanitize the building and fire apparatuses.
The release noted that fire stations in the city have increased the number of hand-sanitizing stations and employees are also required to wear face coverings in common areas and to continue social distancing.
According to the Hidalgo County website, there are 309 cases of COVID-19 in the city. Over the weekend, the county reported an unidentified employee with the Mission tax office tested positive for COVID-19. At the beginning of the month, the Progress Times reported three positive cases of COVID-19 in the mission Police Department.
