Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim is pushing for COVID-19 rapid test kits for first responders quarantined at home.

Mayor Ganim says dozens of firefighters and police officers are self-quarantined and waiting for test results.

Ganim says he wants access to serological COVID-19 tests for police, fire and EOC public safety officers so those who test negative can return to work responding to emergencies and calls across the city.

He says 11 police officers are currently sitting on the sidelines, not because they're sick but because they were possibly exposed to coronavirus.

Bridgeport fire Chief Richard Thode says he fully supports the effort, pointing out that 20 of his firefighters are quarantined.

He says he's working with state health officials to get as many of the tests as possible, so those working on the front lines of public safety can get back to work in minutes instead of days or even weeks, whenever possible exposures occur.

Officials say the rapid tests rely on detecting antibodies in blood samples that confirm or deny the presence of coronavirus.