Miami police chief says he’s tested positive for COVID-19. ‘My symptoms are mild.’

Miami Police Chief Jorge Colina said Friday night he tested positive for COVID-19 and was turning over management of the department to a deputy.

“My symptoms are mild, my spirits are high and I have every reason to believe that I will have a full recovery,” Colina said in a department email.

The email, released by Miami police on Friday night, said deputy chief Ronald Papier will serve as acting police chief.

“I am following our internal policies and entering self-isolation until follow-up tests determine I am no longer at risk for spreading the virus to coworkers,” Colina wrote.

The last public appearance for Colina on the department’s Twitter feed was Thursday, when the department posted a photo of the masked chief with former Dolphins linebacker and restaurateur John Offerdahl, who dropped off free lunch for officers.

Colina has already been in isolation once for coronavirus, after Mayor Francis Suarez was diagnosed with the virus on March 13. Colina tested negative and returned to work.

This story was originally published April 17, 2020 at 9:41 PM.