A Columbus Division of Fire firefighter/EMT has tested positive for COVID-19, the city announced Sunday.

The firefighter, who was assigned to Fire Station 24 at Karl and Morse Roads, became ill last week, according to a news release. Following the direction of Franklin County Public Health, the firefighter has been isolated at his home and is under a physician’s care.

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The firefighter was among two Franklin County residents whose positive tests were announced earlier in the day by public health officials, said Robin Davis, a spokesperson for Columbus Mayor Mayor Andrew J. Ginther.

Fire Station 24 that serves the Northland neighborhood is out of service to be professionally sanitized. It will be back online later this afternoon. The emergency vehicles – a medic, engine and ladder – have been decontaminated.

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Thirty-one firefighters who had contact with this individual at the station are currently being evaluated. Franklin County Public Health is working with the Columbus Division of Fire to contact anyone else with whom the firefighter had contact, including those who he may have interacted with during service calls.

Earlier Sunday, Franklin County Health Commissioner Joe Mazzola first revealed the two additional confirmed coronavirus cases while speaking to Franklin County commissioners during a morning hearing. That brought the total to three announced over the weekend.

Mazzola said that more such cases can be expected.

"We can absolutely expect to have more cases identified in the days to come," Mazzola said.

An initial case, in the city of Columbus, was confirmed Saturday by state and local health officials.

Mazzola said the two additional cases, both men, age 52 and 35, live outside the city limits but within the county. One of those men is the Columbus firefighter.

Mazzola said one of the men had recently traveled. Health officials are working to identify anyone who may have had contact with the two men.

"We certainly are doing all of the contract tracing for both individuals … that’s an active investigation," Mazzola said.

Initial news of the new cases was discussed during a morning administrative hearing, scheduled daily with the Franklin County commissioners.

"There’s so much changing so quickly," said Commissioner Marilyn Brown. "I know that everybody is wondering what is happening. … We’re just going to get through this working together."

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