7 Markham firefighters test positive for COVID-19

3 firefighters believed to have contracted COVID-19 in workplace, while additional 4 contracted it outside workplace

Yorkregion.com
Dec. 17

Seven members of Markham Fire and Emergency Services have tested positive for COVID-19.

According to a statement issued by the city, three firefighters are believed to have contracted COVID-19 in the workplace, while an additional four contracted it outside the workplace.

All staff who have tested positive have been in self-isolation and none of the individuals who have tested positive to date had symptoms when they were at work.

Since reporting the first positive case, additional members of the department were tested, with 11 negative tests confirmed.

Markham Fire and Emergency Services is following all established health and safety measures as outlined by York Region Public Health.

A third-party deep clean of the entire fire station was undertaken as a precaution and the City of Markham continues to follow all public health reporting and guidelines.

City officials said they are confident the situation is now stable and poses no risk to staff or to the ability to serve the community.

"To our knowledge, no one outside Markham Fire and Emergency Services has been identified as coming into contact with any individual who tested positive, and no member of the public interacted with these individuals while they were on duty," a spokesperson said.

Anyone identified by public health to be a high-risk contact has been notified and instructed to be tested and to self-isolate.