8 Of 9 OC Firefighters With Coronavirus Have Recovered

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — Of the nine Orange County Fire Authority firefighters who originally tested positive for COVID-19, eight have returned to work, a fire captain said Saturday.

"Our firefighters are staying healthy and strong and they're doing everything they can to flatten the curve," OCFA Capt. Steve Concialdi said. "They're being safe on calls by wearing goggles, masks, gowns and gloves. And our dispatchers are asking patients that are able to walk outside to meet our firefighters/paramedics there."

Concialdi said firefighters are cleaning their stations multiple times throughout the day and are taking off their work boots and uniforms before going into the fire station.

"(And) at dinner time, our firefighters are supporting local restaurants by ordering take out," he said. "Our firefighters are practicing social distancing -- even when they're at the fire station."

Beginning Saturday, and until Thursday, OCFA firefighters, the Orange County Sheriff's Department as well as the Santa Ana and Irvine police departments are going to three area hospitals when the nurses are doing their shift changes -- between 6:45 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. -- to recognize and thank the medical staff for a job well done in taking care of Orange County residents, officials said.

The three hospitals are Orange County Global Medical Center, 1001 N. Tustin Ave. in Santa Ana; Mission Hospital, 27700 Medical Center Road in Mission Viejo and Hoag Hospital Irvine, 16200 Sand Canyon Ave.

—City News Service

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