Officers quarantined after detainee purposely coughed on them

Four police officers in Bermuda had to be ordered under quarantine after they were deliberately coughed on by a man they arrested.

Commissioner of Police Stephen Corbishley said: Quite a serious incident last night when four officers committed in the arrest and transport of a person following to Hamilton Police Station were deliberately coughed on by the individual who said he was coronavirus positive. We don’t know if that is truly the case, but the result of it is serious.”

Commissioner Corbishley said the four officers have since been put under quarantine, where they will stay for a period of 14 days.

The Commissioner of Police said this incident has far-reaching results for the officers, their families and the country at large.

The accused was scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.

Commissioner Corbishley said: “The court will decide how he’s dealt with, but I take the issue very seriously and I’m sure the whole of Bermuda do as well when we have such an important agenda to look after people’s health.” To date, Bermuda has recorded 57 cases of COVID-19 and five related deaths.