Manchester-by-the-Sea Police Members Test Negative for COVID-19 After Possible Exposure

MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA — Police Chief Todd J. Fitzgerald reports that two Manchester-by-the-Sea Police members recently tested negative for COVID-19 following a possible exposure to the virus.

An Officer and Dispatcher were immediately self-quarantined out of an abundance of caution after possible exposure to the virus within the last two weeks and monitored for symptoms. The officers have since been cleared to return to work after their test results came back negative. All continue to remain symptom-free.

At this time, no additional testing is required for any other members of the Manchester-by-the-Sea Police Department.

“We continue to follow the guidance of our local Board of Health and the Massachusetts Deparment of Public Health regarding any possible exposure of first responders to COVID-19,” Chief Fitzgerald said. “As always, the safety of the community is our number one priority, especially during this unprecedented situation, and we are taking additional precautionary steps to protect officers and residents alike.”

The Manchester-by-the-Sea Police Station and vehicles receive a regular disinfection and cleaning in order to keep staff and the community safe. Officers may also be wearing additional Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) as a precaution when responding to calls, even if the individual they are responding to assist is not displaying COVID-19 symptoms.

The Manchester-by-the-Sea Police Department will continue to respond to any and all emergencies as normal. Residents are reminded to alert dispatchers if they or someone in their home is displaying any COVID-19 symptoms, or is under quarantine. Dispatchers will also ask these questions when gathering the preliminary information.

The COVID-19 situation is very fluid, and new information and guidelines are being posted by the CDC on a regular basis. The CDC offers the following guidance for how COVID-19 spreads. 

The state has also set up the phone number 211 to answer questions that residents may have concerning COVID-19.

For more information, visit CDC’s website here or the DPH’s website here. 

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