First Sarasota Police Officers Test Positive For Coronavirus

SARASOTA, FL — The first Sarasota police officers have tested positive for the new coronavirus, according to the agency's Genevieve Judge.

"Three sworn patrol officers with the Sarasota Police Department have tested positive for COVID-19," Judge said Thursday.

The officers are the first three from the agency to test positive for the virus.. "All three officers are at home on quarantine," Judge said.

It was not immediately clear how the officers contracted the virus. Judge said the agency has procedures in place to deal with infected officers or agency personnel.

Sarasota Police Chief Bernadette DiPino has encouraged residents to reduce the possibility of spread in the community by wearing masks in public, observing social distancing guidelines and washing their hands.

"These actions could prevent citizens and Sarasota Police officers from contracting COVID-19," Judge said.