ALBUQUERQUE – Nearly 40 Albuquerque police officers have been placed on quarantine after being exposed to a law enforcement officer who recently tested positive for the coronavirus, according to the department.
Police said two civilian workers with the department also were exposed.
Department officials didn’t immediately disclose which agency the infected officer works for.
Police officials said the 39 officers experienced different levels of exposure to the infected officer over the course of several days, including during a multi-agency operation.
The officers who may have been exposed to the virus were tested and placed into quarantine.
Police spokesman Gilbert Gallegos told KOB-TV that officials still are waiting for the test results.
There have been no confirmed COVID-19 cases within the police department thus far.
Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller announced a new three-tiered system last week to help protect police officers from the coronavirus.
In addition to current protocols, area commanders were directed to spend time this weekend ensuring their officers are wearing masks during encounters with the public.
According to the state Department of Health, New Mexico had at least 53 reported deaths and over 1,798 reported coronavirus patients as of Saturday afternoon.
