The NYPD is letting officers with underlying medical conditions work from home as the number of cops infected with coronavirus rises — and just hours after a detective with asthma and diabetes succumbed to the virus, The Post has learned.
“The COVID-19 virus has been shown to have a disparate impact on the health of those who contract the virus and have underlying medical condition such as, heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease,” a memo written by Lieutenants Benevolent Association President Lou Turco reads. “As a result, the Department has directed that all members of the service with these underlying medical conditions be permitted to work from home until such time as the crisis subsides.”
The decision comes hours after the NYPD announced the death of the first officer to succumb to the COVID-19 pandemic, Detective Cedric Dixon, a 48-year-old veteran of 32nd Precinct in Harlem.
His death marks the third NYPD employee to die after contracting the virus, following an administrative aide in the Bronx and a cleaner at 1 Police Plaza, who both succumbed Thursday.
More than 500 NYPD first responders have now tested positive for the virus, with more than 11% of New York’s Finest calling in sick — nearly four times the usual number, officials said.
On Saturday, over 50 cops were out sick in the 46th Precinct alone, law enforcement sources said.
“For first responders, you just don’t often have the opportunity to isolate. You go to the danger,” NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said at a press conference Saturday.