Brookline Firefighter Tests Positive For Coronavirus

BROOKLINE, MA — A Brookline firefighter has tested positive for the new coronavirus, according to Brookline Public Health Director Dr. Swanni Jett on Tuesday.

Jett said the firefighter who tested positive for the virus has had no contact with others at the station since March 13. Anyone who had contact with him was asked to quarantine, said Jett.

The news of the positive case comes a day after another firefighter at the same station exhibited symptoms consistent with COVID-19, promoting the Brookline Fire Department to temporarily close.

All town officials who are coming into work, including Fire Department officials have been getting temperature checks since last week, per public health protocol said Jett.

Monday morning a member, working at Station 5, had an elevated temperature at the end of his shift, went home and subsequently reported a further increase in their temperature.

No one from the public was exposed either time, Jett said.

The number of cases is now at 777 after 131 new ones were confirmed. Brookline had 14 cases as of Tuesday. Seventy-nine of the overall cases across the commonwealth required hospitalization.

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Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).