Two Harris County Sheriff’s deputies have tested positive for COVID-19, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez announced Friday night.

The two deputies did not work in the jail, or in the same location, according to a statement detailing the news. They are now quarantined at home, where their symptoms are being monitored.

“While we’ve known that the likelihood of a positive COVID-19 test within our ranks was practically inevitable, today’s news is a gut punch to our Sheriff’s Office family,” Gonzalez said, in the news release. “Each day, the men and women of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office consistently report for duty, risking their own health and safety for the community they swore to protect. Now is the time for our community to show their gratitude by heeding warnings to stay home and practice social distancing to minimize the risk to all first responders. Lives are at stake.”

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One of the deputies, a man in his late 60s, recently traveled to New York. He has not reported for duty since returning from his trip. The other deputy is a woman in her late 20s who last reported for duty on March 11.

Spokesman Jason Spencer said the sheriff’s office is working with Harris County Public Health to identify people, including co-workers and members of the public, who may have had contact with the two deputies.

Testing for the deputies’ co-workers is expected to begin as soon as Saturday.

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Harris County Deputies Organization President David Cuevas said he was aware of both cases. He'd spoken to the female deputy, who was in good spirits, and would be reaching out to the male deputy as soon as possible.

"The deputy I spoke to is in good spirits," he said. "Myself, the department, and the union support her in anything she needs, and we are family and we're praying for her and her recovery."

"Obviously we want to make sure everyone in the law enforcement community is COVID-19 free," he continued. "But we understand there are going to be circumstances where people test positive. We want the public to be reassured we are prepared and ready to continued to provide law enforcement services in the county."