Four Ross Township police officers who may have been exposed to coronavirus are self-quarantining, according to the police chief.
Chief Joe Ley told the township board of commissioners on Monday that the officers may have been exposed to the virus during a SWAT incident on Friday.
The officers have not been tested because they have not exhibited covid-19 symptoms, Ross Det. Brian Kohlhepp said on Tuesday.
Ley told the commissioners that he is awaiting tests results for an officer from another department that was involved in the incident to determine when his officers can return to duty.
“Hopefully that (test result) will enable our guys to be cleared,” he said. “If not, we’ll keep them on quarantine if need be.”
The Ross officers may have been exposed to coronavirus while assisting with a SWAT incident in the Northern Regional Police Department’s coverage area that involved a suicidal man, said Kohlhepp, adding that the indecent ended peacefully.
The quarantine period for the four officers will last two weeks unless the officer from the other department tests positive for the virus, the detective said.
“If he would come back negative they can return to work immediately,” Kohlhepp said.
The absence of the four officers has not affected the department’s staffing, according to the chief.
“Everything is still running smoothly as far as maximizing our shifts,” Ley told the board.
The names of the officers are not being released.
