Twelve USFK service members and one dependent tested positive for COVID-19 after arriving in South Korea between July 8 and 20.

Two service members arrived at Osan Air Base on U.S. government chartered flights from the United States on July 8 and 20. Ten service members and one dependent arrived at Incheon International Airport from the United States on separate commercial flights on July 8, 9 and 19.

Two of the individuals tested positive on their first mandatory COVID-19 test prior to entering quarantine, one individual who initially tested negative on his first test later developed symptoms and retested positive, and ten individuals initially tested negative on their first test, but tested positive on the second mandatory test required to exit quarantine. All individuals were transferred to an isolation facility designated for confirmed COVID-19 cases on Camp Humphreys upon testing positive.

Thorough cleaning of all transportation assets and quarantine rooms has been completed.

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 USFK installations or the local community.

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 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.