Credit: Bucks County District Attorney’s Office
The Middletown police officer who was diagnosed with COVID-19 after a positive test shared his experience with Bucks County District Attorney Matt Weintraub.
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In a video posted by the district attorney’s office, Officer Ryan Morrison, who started with the department in 2017, told Weintraub via Facetime that he is on the mend and looking forward to returning to work.
Morrison’s COVID-19 test results came back on Friday and Middletown officials began tracing a list of who he had contact with. The district attorney’s office said he “experienced moderate symptoms” and was recovering at home.
Morrison said he was glad he got tested for COVID-19 and avoided going to work. He said it would have been “selfish” not to get tested and go into work, which would mean he would had contact with the public.
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The officer said he worked last Monday night into Tuesday. By Tuesday afternoon, he felt “awful” and it didn’t get better. He received a COVID-19 test after matching numerous of the symptoms and began self-isolation.
The officer never experienced symptoms while on duty.
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On Saturday, Morrison said he was recovering but the symptoms were lessening.
“Compared to the first three days, I’ve been feeling a lot better. It’s my head right now. I feel congested, and it’s like a pretty bad headache. I feel tired and weak,” Morrison said. “I can say compared to the first three days I had it, I’m gradually getting better.”
During first days of having symptoms, he was sleeping for 16 or 17 hours per day, the officer said.
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Weintraub said Morrison’s experience shows that COVID-19 can impact younger people.
“I was never really afraid of the virus, but at the same time, I kind of thought that was a selfish outlook,” Morrison said.
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The lawman urged people to stay away from others if they can, noting you never know who you can pass COVID-19 to.
“If you can stay in, think of your parents and grandparents and individuals who possibly cannot get over this virus. Think about them rather than yourselves,” Morrison said.
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The officer said he looks forward to returning to work.
Morrison and officers forced to isolate themselves will take a COVID-19 test and be cleared by the Bucks County Health Department if the result is negative before being allowed to return to work, Chief of Police Joseph Bartorilla told LevittownNow.com.
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Sources said several officers who may have had contact with Morrison in a surrounding community self-isolated, but none have been ill.
Middletown police continue patrol duties of their municipality without interruption.
The Bucks County Police Chiefs Association has a mutual aid agreement between agencies that allows municipal departments to operate in towns outside their jurisdiction if required if there is manpower shortages, the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office has previously stated.
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“The health and safety of the public is our first priority, and ensuring the community stays safe and healthy requires planning ahead,” Weintraub said. “This crisis continues to present new challenges every day, but we’re prepared to work together to meet them and continue doing our jobs.”
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