Tampa police chief Brian Dugan tests positive for COVID-19

TAMPA — Tampa police Chief Brian Dugan has tested positive for COVID-19, the department announced Monday.

Dugan, 54, tested positive Sunday and is isolating at home, according to a news release. He reported symptoms including fatigue, a headache, and chills.

“Being a cancer survivor, I am very aware of the need to protect myself to avoid any possible complications that could come with COVID-19″, Dugan said in a statement. “Despite my best efforts to maintain social distance, use a mask, and constantly wash my hands, it is evident that anyone can get COVID-19.”

Dugan will continue to work from home for the next two weeks and daily operation of the department “will continue, without interruption, carried out by members of Chief Dugan’s executive staff,” the release says.

Since testing began in March, 134 members of the Tampa Police Department have tested positive for the COVID-19, according to the release.

Dugan was diagnosed with prostate cancer in August 2016, when he was serving as an assistant chief under then-Chief Eric Ward. When Dugan had surgery a few months later, there were complications and at one point he went into septic shock. He spent 11 days in the hospital. He previously told the Tampa Bay Times that he thought the episode was going to end his career, but his health rebounded.