Today, Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) Acting Director Matthew W. Garbark issued the following statement regarding the death of a DPW employee due to COVID-19: 

“I am saddened to announce the death of a long-time DPW employee due to COVID-19. Mr. Charles Johnson, a Plant Operations Supervisor at the Patapsco Wastewater Treatment Plant, tested positive for COVID-19 at the beginning of November, and spent the last two weeks hospitalized in an intensive care unit.

I, along with the entire DPW family, extend our sincere and heartfelt condolences to Mr. Johnson’s family and express our deep appreciation for his 45 years of service to the City of Baltimore.

DPW emphasizes safety to our workforce, especially to our essential, frontline workers who are continuing to provide critical water, wastewater, and sanitation services during this unprecedented time. This includes wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) (masks, uniforms, gloves) and following COVID-prevention protocols.”