Two Metro officers test positive for coronavirus

Two Metro Police officers have tested positive for the coronavirus, while 15 others were awaiting results, Clark County Undersheriff Kevin McMahill said today.

No additional information was released about the officers, including their conditions or who else they might have had contact with.

A total of 39 officers have been tested for the virus, with 22 negative results, said McMahill, noting that 84 Metro employees were in self-quarantine because they had “some exposure.”

The virus, which has infected 961 people and led to 28 deaths in Clark County as of today, has had no operational impact on Metro, McMahill said.

Furthermore, the spread of the virus has coincided with an overall sharp reduction in crime.

Since March 15, violent crime has dipped about 20% and property crime is down 28%, McMahill said. Overall, crime is down about 27%, including a 37% drop in domestic violence reports.

“There are some issues,” McMahill said, noting a 35% jump in firearms calls in “traditional violent-crime hot spots.” He said increased patrols would be dispatched to those areas.

McMahill urged people to stay home. Metro officers “don’t have the luxury of going out and not having contact with the public,” he said.