Police Clarify Number Of NJ Cops With Coronavirus

Josh Bakan
Updated ·1 min read

This article originally appeared on the Barnegat-Manahawkin Patch

Update: State Police clarified the figures given Saturday. See the figures below.

NEW JERSEY — More than 1,200 police officers in New Jersey have quarantined because of the novel coronavirus, according to officials.

Col. Patrick Callahan, acting superintendent of the State Police, said Saturday that about 700 tested positive. State Police clarified the figures Sunday:

  • 163 have tested positive for the coronavirus

  • 1,272 have been quarantined statewide

  • 1,435 are out of work for other reasons

Officers have tested positive in all 21 counties, Callahan said at the state's daily coronavirus briefing. He did not provide more detailed information regarding numbers or affected departments.

Two officers who were in "serious condition" are now stable, Callahan said.

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There are about 36,000 full-time officers in New Jersey, according to data from 2016.

The state set up a webpage for donating personal protective equipment and related supplies for first responders, hospitals and health care workers.

The Office of Attorney General and International Association of Chiefs of Police provided guidance for performing the job on scene, Callahan said.

"If they have any doubt, we ask that they (police) act as though that person is sick with COVID-19," Callahan said.

New Jersey reached 11,124 total positive cases Saturday, including 140 deaths, Governor Phil Murphy announced. Read more: Gov. Murphy: NJ Coronavirus Cases Top 11K, 32 More Deaths

Watch Saturday's briefing below (begin at 54:20 for Callahan's announcement):