Detroit Police Chief James Craig has tested positive for COVID-19, Mayor Mike Duggan announced on Friday.
"I would say it's a shock," Craig said via telephone. "Although, with the number of cases coming out of DPD. I knew this disease doesn't discriminate. It doesn't matter your rank, age."
Craig, 63, will remain on quarantine while he fights this off. He explained to Action News that he initially thought his symptoms were related to seasonal allergies.
"A little cough, headache which is typical for me," Craig said. "So, I wasn't overly concerned."
LISTEN TO OUR FULL INTERVIEW WITH CRAIG BELOW:
Assistant Chief James White will oversee the day-to-day operations of the department. Craig will still work from home.
"I'm going to be there with them just not physically, Craig said during the call.
"Certainly we want him to get rest, and fight this new challenge," White said, adding that the chief is very fit, focused on nutrition and exercise.
Duggan said that in all, 39 officers have tested positive for COVID-19 and another 468 are on quarantine.
In the last day, they have gotten 35 officers back from quarantine, and another 119 are in the process of being brought back from quarantine.
The department is taking the temperatures of officers before and after every shift, and they said they haven't had a sick officer work.