The St. Louis County Police Department marked its 200th case of the coronavirus in the last week. Overall, more than 10 percent of the force has tested positive for the virus, although many officers are now getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
The department said Wednesday that over the previous eight days, six members of the St. Louis County Police Department tested positive for COVID-19. This includes commissioned officers and professional staff members in the Division of Patrol (1st Precinct), the Division of Operational Support and the Division of Special Operations. Just like most of the cases reported in the past year among officers, the department said it is unknown how the staff members contracted the virus.
Since the first case was reported in March 2020, more than 15 percent of the department’s roughly 1,200 employees have tested positive for the virus. Officers have tested positive in both the South County Precinct and the Affton Southwest Precinct, the two precincts that serve South County.
“As we hit the 200th case in the Department, I am thankful that many of our staff members have received their first round of the COVID-19 vaccine,” stated Chief Mary Barton in a news release. “I am also thankful for the way our officers and professional staff members continue to serve and protect our community members daily throughout this pandemic. They are truly committed to serving the public.”
Potentially affected work areas and vehicles have been thoroughly cleaned, as the department has done throughout the past year.
There have been a total of 200 positive test results in the department since the global pandemic first directly impacted the personnel of the department on March 28, 2020. Of the 200, 190 have already recovered and returned to duty.
“The St. Louis County Police Department stands ready to serve and protect,” the department said.
