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SEOUL, South Korea – The Department of Defense began random coronavirus testing this weekend on government-chartered flights with U. S. troops abroad, while U. S. forces reported that another 18 people tested positive for respiratory disease after flying to the divided peninsula from abroad.
One patient also tested positive for the virus on Monday in a regimen screening procedure before entering the army hospital at Camp Humphreys, the army’s main base in South Korea, according to the garrison commander. More important points were not available without delay.
Anyone who may have been exposed was contacted and the affected spaces cleaned up, Colonel Michael Tremblay said in a Facebook live post, bringing the total number of cases affiliated with U. S. forces in Korea to 278. transmitted locally; most were newcomers.
The new imported instances reported Monday to service members, dependents, and subcontractors who traveled to South Korea on the Patriot Express or on advertising flights last week when the United States suffered a resurgence of the virus.
The largest number of patients lands on flights from the United States has led the Department of Defense to tighten pre-shipment coronavirus prevention measures. and Seattle Tacoma Airport on an official mission, according to a press release.
The Air Mobility Command, which oversees Patriot Express flights, said that 10% to 15% of examiners who show no symptoms can be simply monitored. to what extent compliance is extensive or how it can be enforced.
Passengers with a legal medical authorization letter or those with a valid coronavirus check performed within 72 hours of the flight will be exempt from random verification, as well as members of the family circle, the command said.
“By implementing immediate on-site testing for Patriot Express passengers at our BWI and SEATAC terminals, Air Mobility Command is building a non-unusual baseline for everyone to mitigate the spread of COVID-19,” said General Brig, Command Surgeon. General Norman West, referring to the disease caused by the virus.
Health officials will use the FDA-approved Abbott ID NOW check, which will be tested with on-site lab appliances and expected to pay off in about 15 minutes, according to the press release. Those with a negative check will resume checking, entry and boarding, while those who test positive will be remote for varying periods of time depending on their status.
Nine service members and one dependent tested positive after arriving at Osan Air Force Base on the Patriot Express from the United States on October 25, 28 and 29, while 4 inflamed service members, 3 dependents and a contractor arrived at Incheon International Airport on advertising flights. Foreign. USFK said in a press on Monday.
Sixteen of the patients had positive effects on their first mandatory coronavirus control, which is required for all USFKs before starting a strict two-week quarantine, while two others tested positive for the time being in the control required to exit the 40, according to the statement.
They all moved to isolation facilities at Osan Air Force Base or Humphreys Camp, he added.
gamel. kim@stripes. com
Twitter: @kimgamel
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