EC Firefighter Tests Positive and Half A Shift Is Under Quarantine – Mayor Announces New Health Director
Region News has learned an East Chicago Firefighter has tested positive within the last week for COVID-19. The firefighter who is now at home and quarantined is doing well however that positive test has resulted in another 6 firefighters being quarantined has a precaution and waiting on test results. This comes at an already difficult time in the department with lower manpower and engine power in the department. Since November the firefighters have been fighting the already difficult and stressful shift change implemented by East Chicago Mayor Anthony Copeland.
Mayor Copeland announced on social media April 24, a total of 5 City employees have tested positive to date. This with many safety procedures implemented including the mandatory use of PPE and having cleaning equipment available for employees along with distancing as much as possible while on the job. Mayor Copeland and Chief Anthony Serna did not respond back to Region News inquires Monday on the Fire Department cases and what’s being done for the lack of personnel due to the crises.
MAYOR ANNOUNCES NEW HEALTH DIRECTOR
On Monday, April 27, 2020. Mayor Anthony Copeland announced he has chosen Diana Garcia-Burns, MS, CNS, FNP-BC as the new Director of the East Chicago Health Department. Diana is a Nurse Practitioner, skilled in Public Health, Emergency Preparedness, Emergency Medicine and operations of federally qualified Health Centers. She is the former Director of the Emergency Department at St. Catherine Hospital for the past three years and is ready to bring her experience back to the residents of East Chicago. Mrs. Garcia Burns is a veteran of our Health Department with over 13 years’ experience as the former Health Department Director and over 30 years of experience as a registered nurse.
In addition to a new director, the Health Department will also hire a full-time nurse and East Chicago native next week with over 20 years’ experience in health care.
Mayor Copeland has been making coordinated efforts to ensure the safety of our community is a top priority during this Covid-19 Crisis. “I am very confident in the skills and administrative leadership Mrs. Garcia-Burns brings to the department. She knows our city and lives in our community. She has been through the H1N1 crisis and is ready to hit the ground running, said Mayor Anthony Copeland.
In the past month, the City of East Chicago also hired Nichole Dooley, as the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator to help newly appointed Health Director Diana Garcia-Burns meet the challenges of our city. The administration is pleased to have this new team in place along with Health Officer, Dr. Gerri C. Browning, MD and staff to more effectively meet the health care needs in our city, Copeland said.
