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Rocklin firefighters quarantined after helping patient who died from coronavirus

The Rocklin Fire Chief Bill Hack said all three firefighters are currently at home monitoring their conditions.

ROCKLIN, Calif. — Three Rocklin firefighters were advised to stay at home under quarantine after they were exposed to a resident who died after contracting the coronavirus will traveling on a cruise ship to Mexico, fire officials said.  

Rocklin Fire Chief Bill Hack told ABC10 that the firefighters were responding to someone who fell. Hack said all three firefighters are currently at home monitoring their conditions.   

Hack said the firefighters who responded to the call are not showing symptoms for the coronavirus at this time.

The patient who died was an elder adult with underlying health conditions, according to Placer County Health Officer Dr. Aimee Sisson. Sisson said the individual began showing symptoms on Feb. 19, 2020, while traveling on a Princess cruise traveling between San Francisco and Mexico. 

The patient returned to San Francisco on Feb. 21 when they called 911 on Feb. 27, the same day they were admitted to Kaiser Permanente Roseville. 

"The Rocklin Fire Department has been preparing for local coronavirus cases and has taken necessary steps to limit exposure to staff," Hack said in a news release. "The City and Fire Department are following federal, state and local health policies and remain ready to protect the citizens of Rocklin in an emergency."

The city of Rocklin's fire stations are fully staffed and are prepared to respond to emergencies, officials said.

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BACKGROUND:

According to the CDC, coronavirus (COVID-19) is a family of viruses that is spreadable from person to person. Coronavirus is believed to have been first detected in a seafood market in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. If someone is sick with coronavirus, the symptoms they may show include mild to severe respiratory illness, cough, and difficulty breathing. 

Currently, there is no vaccine. However, the CDC suggests the following precautions, along with any other respiratory illness:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds.

 The CDC also says facemasks should only be used by people who show symptoms of the virus. If you're not sick, you do not have to wear a facemask. The CDC says the immediate risk to the U.S. public is low.

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WATCH MORE: Coronavirus Update: Wednesday, March 4 | Northern California

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