Six cases of COVID-19 have been detected in the search and rescue operations of the Florida building collapse, according to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Alan Cominsky. The news comes less than a day after US President Joe Biden visited the site along with First Lady Jill Biden.

Cominsky made the announcement on Friday at a press conference announcing that the cases were reported among the teams from Florida, according to reports from CNN.

The members of the search and rescue team, who tested positive for the virus, had been “immobilised” as efforts to put the individuals under isolation were completed, the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief said.

He said, “So we do have our medical procedures in place, you know, unfortunately, this is another challenge but something that we’ve been dealing with for over the past year”, reported CNN.

President Joe Biden was at the site to meet with the families of the victims and the survivors of the accident, which has so far claimed at least 22 lives. The President also met with the rescue staff present at the site.

During his visit on Thursday, Biden said that the victims of the Florida building collapse and their family members will be receiving assistance from the authorities in terms of expediting visas of family members of those affected and providing housing assistance.  

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, who has been overseeing the rescue efforts since the accident happened last week, said that she had given orders to demolish the remaining parts of the building that were still standing, emphasising on the safety concerns it posed.