Twelve USFK service members and two dependents tested positive for COVID-19 after arriving in South Korea between July 9 and 15.
Nine service members and two dependents arrived at Osan Air Base on a U.S. government chartered flight from the United States between July 11 and 15. Three service members arrived at Incheon International Airport from the United States on separate commercial flights on July 9 and 13.
Nine of the individuals were asymptomatic, and the five individuals who were symptomatic displayed very minor symptoms such as a headache or runny nose. All individuals were tested prior to entering quarantine, and have since been transferred to an isolation facility designated for confirmed COVID-19 cases on either Camp Humphreys or Osan Air Base.
In order to exit isolation, all individuals must meet the following four conditions: asymptomatic for seven days, free of fever without using fever-reducing medications, successfully pass two consecutive COVID-19 tests with negative results no less than 24 hours apart, and be screened and approved for release by a medical professional.
USFK health professionals determined contact tracing was limited due to the service members and all other passengers on the commercial and chartered flights being tested upon arrival, and immediately quarantined without interacting with anybody besides other individuals on their flight or those providing administrate and medical support after their arrival; none of the new arrivals have interacted with anyone residing within the local community.
Thorough cleaning of all transportation assets and quarantine rooms has been completed.
As a testament to USFK’s aggressive preventative control measures to stop the virus’ spread, all USFK-affiliated individuals arriving in South Korea from overseas will be tested for COVID-19, quarantined for 14 days and must pass a second test with negative results prior to being released from quarantine. If an individual tests positive on either test, they will enter into isolation.
Despite the confirmed cases, USFK remains at a high level of readiness with less than 1% of its 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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