Seven USFK service members have tested positive for COVID-19 after arriving in South Korea.
Four service members arrived at Incheon International Airport from the United States on commercial flights. One service member, who arrived on June 21 and initially tested negative, tested positive for the virus on his second test required to exit quarantine. The second, third and fourth service members tested positive on their initial test after arriving on July 2, July 6 and today respectively.
The other three service members arrived at Osan Air Base on a U.S. government chartered flight from the United States. One service member, who arrived on June 24 and initially tested negative, tested positive for the virus on his second test required to exit quarantine. The other two service members arrived on July 4 and tested positive during their initial test.
Since testing positive, all of the service members have been moved to an isolation facility designated for confirmed COVID-19 cases on Camp Humphreys or Osan Air Base.
USFK health professionals determined there was limited contact tracing due to the service members and all others on the commercial and chartered flight being tested and immediately quarantined; thorough cleaning of Camp Humphreys’ quarantine rooms has been completed.
As a testament to USFK’s aggressive preventative control measures to stop the virus’ spread, any USFK-affiliated individual arriving in South Korea from overseas will be tested for COVID-19 and then quarantined for 14 days. Medical personnel will administer a second test prior to being released from isolation.
USFK will provide additional information as it becomes available.
Despite the confirmed cases, USFK remains at a high level of readiness with only 14 active duty service members who are currently confirmed positive for COVID-19.
USFK continues to maintain a robust combined defense posture to protect the Republic of Korea against any threat or adversary while maintaining prudent preventive measures to protect the force.
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