(2 Apr 2020) Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Thursday that one of the city's police officers died of coronavirus.
She said 50-year-old Marco Di Franco was with the department for 21 years.
Chicago's interim police superintendent Charlie Beck said it's not clear how Di Franco, who worked in narcotics, became infected. He became ill last week.
Di Franco is survived by his wife and two children, who are 7 and 10 years old, Beck said. His brother also works in the same narcotics division.
"This searing loss is yet another reminder of the lethal danger of COVID-19 and the danger it poses to our city," Lightfoot said.
Police departments across the country have reported an increasing number of cases among their employees in recent days and leaders have tried various strategies to limit officers' exposure as they continue working.
Chicago health authorities have reported 3,123 cases of COVID-19, while Illinois authorities have reported 6,980 cases across the state. Statewide, 141 deaths have been linked to the virus, including 40 in Chicago.
The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death.
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