A 3rd NYPD member dies of coronavirus after hundreds of officers test positive

New York City police lost its first detective to Covid-19, marking the third NYPD death to the disease that has afflicted the department.

Detective Cedric Dixon,a 23-year veteran, worked in the 32nd Precinct in Harlem, NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said.

“May we never forget the sacrifice of those workers who put themselves in harm’s way to keep you and your family safe,” the police chief said.

Patients wearing face masks and personal protective equipment wait on line for COVID-19 testing outside Elmhurst Hospital Center, Friday, March 27, 2020, in New York. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

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The detective was in his 40s and had underlying health conditions, multiple law enforcement officials said. Shea did not provide details on the officer’s health history.

Two other members of the department have died from coronavirus, which has infected at least696NYPD employees.

Dennis C. Dickson, a custodian who worked at police headquarters, died Thursday, Shea said.

Shea lauded Dickson’s commitment to the department, noting the 14-year veteran “worked 17 days straight” during Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

On Friday, NYPD said Giacomina Barr-Brown, a civilian worked in the 49th Precinct Roll Call Office, was the second member of the force to die from coronavirus.

Barr-Brown was a seven-year veteran of the NYPD.

The growing numbers of first responders and health care workers falling sick with coronavirus is doubly worrisome because there are fewer people who can help the public.

Pedestrian traffic is light outside Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Saturday, March, 14, 2020. For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

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On Saturday, 4,342 NYPD employees were out sick, according to a daily coronavirus report from the NYPD. That’s about 12% of the department’s workforce.

At least 608 uniformed NYPD members and 88 civilian members have tested positive for coronavirus, the report said.

And “given the nature of the virus, it is expected that this number will grow,” NYPD said in a statement this week.

The department says it’s been distributing gloves, masks, alcohol wipes and sanitizer to officers to help them work safely.

But if any member feels sick, they should stay home, Shea said.

NYPD officers have been out in their patrol cars and on foot since Sunday night, informing people about the state’s social distancing policies, a law enforcement official told CNN.

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Officers have been looking for groups of people congregating and telling them to disperse.

“Men and women of the New York Police Department are stepping up. They’re here for you. They’re out there putting themselves – uniform and civilian – at risk to keep you safe,” Shea added.

The United States now has more reported cases of coronavirus than any other country in the world.

Because coronavirus is about twice as contagious as the flu and can spread between people without symptoms, health officials urge the public to stay at least 6 feet away from others and stop touching your face.

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Correction: A previous version of this story misspelled the name of Detective Cedric Dixon. The name has been corrected.

CNN’s Brynn Gingras, Shimon Prokupecz, Mark Morales, Taylor Romine, Pervaiz Shallwani, Kristina Sgueglia and Mallika Kallingal contributed to this report .