There have been 21 positive COVID-19 cases connected to fighting the Cameron Peak Fire as of Tuesday morning, according to Regional Press Officer Donna Nemeth.

An additional 37 individuals are quarantining as a result of potential exposure or while awaiting test results. Of the 37, 29 are quarantining at the incident, while the rest are at home.

This is a large increase from the positive count of four on Sept. 4.

The outbreak originated from three firefighters in the same engine testing positive after fighting the Cameron Peak Fire on Aug. 24-25. Two of the original cases were released from isolation last week, while the third remains in a hospital.

This is the only case that has resulted in prolonged hospitalization, Nemeth said.

Of the other 20 positive cases, seven have recovered and been released, while the rest are in isolation at home or at the incident site.

After the initial outbreak, a fourth firefighter tested positive on Sept. 1 after complaining about respiratory issues.

The fourth firefighter had been in close contact with at least 23 others, 19 being members of the firefighter’s crew and the other four being helpers.

Kris Eriksen, public information officer with the Portland National Incident Management Organization, said NIMO took drastic measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at the time of the initial outbreak.

“We’re doing everything we can,” Eriksen said.

Preventative measures included mandatory mask use and social distancing, separating staff from different units, focusing on smaller groups and using thermal imaging to check temperatures before entering the incident command post.