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Ten USFK Affiliated Individuals Confirmed with COVID-19

PA-001-20 | July 20, 2020

Six USFK service members and four dependents tested positive for COVID-19 after arriving in South Korea between July 12 and 15.

 

Five service members and four dependents arrived at Osan Air Base on U.S. government chartered flights from the United States on July 12, 14 and 15, while one service member arrived at Incheon International Airport from the United States on a commercial flight on July 13.

 

Six of the ten individuals tested positive on their mandatory initial test with two individuals symptomatic with minor symptoms, and four individuals asymptomatic. Four of the individuals initially tested negative on their first test, but later developed symptoms and were retested with positive results. All individuals have since been transferred to an isolation facility designated for confirmed COVID-19 cases on either Camp Humphreys or Osan Air Base.

 

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.

 

USFK maintains a close collaboration with the KCDC and local public health authorities to share information and discuss all response procedures.

 

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, or anytime during quarantine following the display of symptoms, 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 has not had an internal positive COVID-19 case since mid-April.

 

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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