DOUGLAS COUNTY —The Lawrence Police department has been notified that one of its officers tested positive for coronavirus. This is the first positive case in the department, according to a media release.
The affected officer first experienced symptoms on late Tuesday evening, and immediately took steps to limit exposure to other persons, per recommendations from the CDC and Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health. The officer was not on duty at the time they began experiencing symptoms, and has not been on duty since Monday. The officer is experiencing mild symptoms, and is not requiring hospitalization. The officer will remain isolated until guidance from Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health deems it appropriate for them to return to work.
The department is following best practices and taking necessary steps to protect all members of the department and the community.
For privacy reasons, the department did not disclose any identifying information about the officer. Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health is reviewing any close contacts the officer may have had and will be monitoring them for the development of symptoms. The officer has not traveled recently, and has not had contact with any known carriers of the virus, so the point of infection is unknown at this time.