St. Petersburg police officer tests positive for coronavirus

ST. PETERSBURG — A police officer has tested positive for the coronavirus, the St. Petersburg Police Department announced to its employees on Monday.

The officer fell ill after taking a vacation, and before he returned to work. Has not been on duty, been in contact with police personnel or been inside a police facility since March 10, the agency said.

The officer’s positive test came back Monday morning, according to an email St. Petersburg Police Chief Tony Holloway sent to police personnel that day. The department did not disclose the officer’s current medical condition.

This is the department’s first sworn law enforcement officer to test positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.

Another St. Petersburg police employee, who works in the emergency communications center, tested positive on March 25. That employee has been released from the hospital and is recovering at home, the agency said.

The police department has tested a total of 12 employees for COVID-19. The other 10 tests came back negative.

• • •

Tampa Bay Times coronavirus coverage

GET THE DAYSTARTER MORNING UPDATE: Sign up to receive the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 and Tampa Bay, six days a week

UNEMPLOYMENT Q&A: We answer your questions about Florida unemployment benefits

CONTRIBUTE TO THE SCRAPBOOK: Help us tell the story of life under coronavirus

MEET THE HELPERS: Highlighting Tampa Bay’s everyday heroes in this crisis

FOLLOW OUR COVERAGE ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook. Instagram. Twitter. Reddit.

LISTEN TO THE CORONAVIRUS PODCAST: New episodes every week, including interviews with experts and reporters

HAVE A TIP?: Send us confidential news tips

We’re working hard to bring you the latest news on the coronavirus in Florida. This effort takes a lot of resources to gather and update. If you haven’t already subscribed, please consider buying a print or digital subscription.