North County firefighter tests positive for coronavirus, fire district spokesman says

A North County Fire Protection District firefighter has tested positive for COVID-19, the district announced late Saturday, March 14.

The unidentified firefighter was asymptomatic before developing a fever Saturday and notifying his captain, then was tested for the virus, according to North County Fire representative John Choi.

The firefighter will self-quarantine for a minimum of 14 days, Choi said.

The fire district would not disclose which station the infected firefighter worked at but the district decided Sunday, March 15, to suspend most firefighter and paramedic public interactions.

Emergency fire and medical calls will still be responded to, NCFPD said in a tweet.

"We deeply care for the safety of our community members and will still be responding to your 911 calls with the use of every precaution possible," the statement said.

North County Fire will reach out to all patients the infected firefighter has had contact with during his shifts over the last two days, Choi said. The fire district believes risk was low to anyone who may have interacted with the infected firefighter.

For now, NCFPD officials have decided to close all fire station tours, suspend the youth Explorer program, stop all ride-alongs and conduct a lot fewer building inspections, Choi said.

Firefighters will no longer go to supermarkets to shop for dinner, Choi said. Instead, meals will be delivered. The district's management team,along with a medical safety officer, met to decide on the new rules, he said.

City News Service contributed to this story.