There are ten paramedics self-isolating at home after they contracted COVID-19, said Essex Windsor Emergency Medical Services Tuesday morning.
The EMS stresses there has been no interaction between the paramedics and patients. It also said the cases were not the result of exposure in the workplace. All ten contracted the virus in the community.
"No paramedic contracted COVID-19 during the first wave in the spring, and these recent positives should serve as a stark warning to Windsor-Essex residents that COVID-19 is everywhere in our community," said EMS Chief Bruce Krauter. "We need to treat every single person we meet as though they are infected with COVID-19 because community transmission is rampant."
EMS facilities across Essex County are undergoing a deep clean and disinfecting right now. Krauter also said paramedics and staff continue to adhere to all enhanced protocols set in place to avoid transmission in the workplace.
Krauter also assured residents they should have every confidence that should they need urgent pre-hospital care, they will be treated safely by paramedics.