ORLANDO, Fla. — One day after Channel 9 reported that seven Orlando firefighters had tested positive for COVID-19, that number has quadrupled.
Orlando fire officials said 28 firefighters have now tested positive with 87 others in quarantine due to possible exposure.
Officials within the department are trying to determine where the infection point started.
READ: 64 workers quarantined after 7 Orlando firefighters test positive for COVID-19, mayor says
Contact tracing is underway, but officials said some of those firefighters were working before they knew they had the virus.
Fire chief Benjamin Barksdale said he doesn’t believe anyone from the public is at risk.
“We’re still looking into that. We don’t believe so,” he said. “They had come into work early before they had gone out on any calls doing the wellness checks.”
Barksdale said Wednesday that a group of new hires were part of those testing positive and being isolated.
"The majority that are self-isolated are the 32 new hires that we brought on Monday. Again, out of an abundance of caution," he said.
READ: Florida reports record-breaking 3,200 new COVID-19 cases; 6 deaths reported locally
Channel 9 learned that more than 100 firefighters were at two recent events, including a training picnic that the city threw for those new hires and their families last week.
Later, a pickle ball tournament was held with even more Orlando firefighters in attendance. Channel 9 confirmed that firefighters who attended both events have since tested positive.
Both events were held at the fire union hall, which has since been professionally cleaned.
Anti-body kits were handed out Thursday morning for firefighters who wanted them.
Firefighters said the chief is also making a point to tell firefighters to wear masks at the stations due to such close quarters.
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