February 26, 2020 | 1:30pm | Updated February 26, 2020 | 1:44pm
The NYPD is bracing for the coronavirus to hit New York City.
The department is handing out “thousands upon thousands of gloves, masks and wipes” to city cops to prepare them for an outbreak should it hit Big Apple streets, officials announced Wednesday.
“We put out disinfectant to each and every command. As of now there’s nothing in New York City. But we’ve sat down with counter-terrorism, our doctors, and [discussed] what the threat may be,” the NYPD’s Chief of Department Terence Monahan told reporters during a briefing Wednesday when The Post asked how they’re preparing for the outbreak.
“So we’re prepared, our men and women are prepared if and when it hits the city. The equipment’s already been out. We have a lot more in store.”
Monahan said the supplies have been distributed to all of the NYPD’s commands, including officers in patrol, housing and transit units.
As of Wednesday, the New York State Department of Health reported only one person is currently being tested for the virus and they’re outside of the five boroughs. Since the outbreak began, a total of 26 New Yorkers have tested negative for the virus — including six in the Big Apple.
More than 80,000 cases have been confirmed globally.
Additional reporting by Gabrielle Fonrouge
