The NJ Police Chief Magazine - Vol. 27, Number 1 | Page 13

What law enforcement personnel need to
know about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The
outbreak first started in China, but cases have been identified in a growing number of other areas, including
the United States.
Patients with COVID-19 have had mild to severe respiratory illness.
• Data suggests that symptoms may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure to the
virus that causes COVID-19.
• Symptoms can include fever, cough, difficulty breathing, and shortness of breath.
• The virus causing COVID-19 is called SARS-CoV-2. It is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person via
respiratory droplets among close contacts. Respiratory droplets are produced when an infected person
coughs or sneezes and can land in the mouths or noses, or possibly be inhaled into the lungs, of people who
are nearby.
- Close contact increases your risk for COVID-19, including:
» Being within approximately 6 feet of an individual with COVID-19 for a prolonged period of time.
» Having direct contact with body fluids (such as blood, phlegm, and respiratory droplets) from an
individual with COVID-19.
To protect yourself from exposure
• If possible, maintain a distance of
at least 6 feet.
• Practice proper hand hygiene.
Wash your hands with soap and water
for at least 20 seconds. If soap and
water are not readily available and
illicit drugs are NOT suspected to be
present, use an alcohol-based hand
sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Do not touch your face with
unwashed hands.
• Have a trained Emergency Medical
Service/Emergency Medical
Technician (EMS/EMT) assess and
transport anyone you think might
have COVID-19 to a healthcare facility.
• Ensure only trained personnel
wearing appropriate personal
protective equipment (PPE) have
contact with individuals who have or
may have COVID-19.
• Learn your employer’s plan for
exposure control and participate in allhands
training on the use of PPE for
respiratory protection, if available.
CS 315526-A 03/16/2020
Recommended Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE)
Law enforcement who must make
contact with individuals confirmed or
suspected to have COVID-19 should
follow CDC’s Interim Guidance for EMS.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-
ncov/hcp/guidance-for-ems.html.
Different styles of PPE may be necessary
to perform operational duties. These
alternative styles (i.e., coveralls) must
provide protection that is at least as
great as that provided by the minimum
amount of PPE recommended.
The minimum PPE recommended is:
• A single pair of disposable
examination gloves,
• Disposable isolation gown or singleuse/disposable
coveralls*,
• Any NIOSH-approved particulate
respirator (i.e., N-95 or higherlevel
respirator); facemasks are an
acceptable alternative until the supply
chain is restored, and
• Eye protection (i.e., goggles or
disposable face shield that fully covers
the front and sides of the face).
*If unable to wear a disposable gown or
coveralls because it limits access to
duty belt and gear, ensure duty belt and
gear are disinfected after contact
with individual.
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If close contact occurred during
apprehension
• Clean and disinfect duty belt and
gear prior to reuse using a household
cleaning spray or wipe, according to
the product label.
• Follow standard operating procedures
for the containment and disposal of
used PPE.
• Follow standard operating procedures
for containing and laundering clothes.
Avoid shaking the clothes.
For law enforcement personnel
performing daily routine activities, the
immediate health risk is considered
low. Law enforcement leadership and
personnel should follow CDC’s Interim
General Business Guidance. Search
“Interim Guidance for Businesses” on
www.cdc.gov.
cdc.gov/COVID-19