FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony has confirmed 36 employees of the Broward Sheriff’s Department have tested positive for COVID-19.

Tony made the announcement during a media conference Tuesday morning.

He said the 36 employees who tested positive for the virus did not include Deputy Shannon Bennett, 39, who died on Friday due to complications from COVID-19.

“We have 547 employees who are impacted by COVID-19,” he said.

Tony said 300 of the employees are currently being monitored, while 210 have returned to duty.

Tony also responded to allegations that he was not doing enough to protect employees of the department.

“From a timeframe of February 1 through April 6, we have dispersed over 25,263 N95 masks to our first responders,” the sheriff said.

Tony also added that BSO has put out over 44,000 surgical masks and over 4,000 bottles of refillable hand sanitizer to first responders.

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