Coronavirus US Update: Veteran NYPD Detective Dies Of COVID-19 Complications

A detective with the New York Police Department died of COVID-19 complications on Wednesday.

The NYPD Chief Rodney Harrison confirmed the death on Twitter. The detectives were deployed to the New York streets after a significant number of NYPD patrolling officers were out sick with the coronavirus.

Robert Cardona, 41, is the fifth NYPD detective and the 27th police department employee to die after contracting coronavirus. Cardona, a 19-year veteran in the department, was the survivor of 9/11 related cancer, who joined the NYPD just two months before the grisly attack was launched.

“Heroically, he had fought back against and was in remission from 9/11-related cancer at the time he was admitted to the hospital with coronavirus symptoms nearly one month ago,” New York Daily News quoted NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea as saying. “To all of you: It is understandable to feel overwhelmed. We are frightened and tired. But like you, I have faith we will get through this and be a stronger and closer NYPD as a result. That faith might be shaken, but it will not be broken.”

Cardona, who was assigned to the 13th Precinct Detective Squad in Gramercy Park, is survived by an 8-year-old son.

“This is probably the darkest time for the rank of detective, having lost five detectives in such a short period of time," Paul DiGiacomo, Detectives’ Endowment Association president, said while likening the deaths of the five NYPD detectives due to the coronavirus with that of dying in the line of duty after being shot by a bullet, calling the virus "an invisible bullet".

The total number of NYPD employees to test positive for the virus since the outbreak began in New York City has reportedly well surpassed the 4,000-mark. Uniformed officers account for 3,350 cases, whilst civilian employees represent 730 cases of the total count. The department launched a pilot initiative under which it would begin taking officers’ temperature in a bid to halt the spread of COVID-19 through the ranks.

New York is currently reeling under the coronavirus outbreak, with 526,012 positive cases as of Thursday, according to Johns Hopkins University's daily tally.