One Naval Academy Cadet Tests Positive for COVID-19 After 4-Week Leave

A cadet from the 69th class of the Naval Academy is participating in the '2014 Naval Cruise Training Squadron,' visiting 12 countries and 12 ports, starting with Guam, USA, followed by Australia, India, Russia, and others. (Photo by the Navy)

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter]The Ministry of National Defense announced on the 4th that one case of COVID-19 infection was confirmed at the Naval Academy in Jinhae, Gyeongnam.

The confirmed case is a midshipman who recently returned from winter leave and tested positive in the test conducted upon return on the 2nd. The Navy explained that diagnostic tests were conducted on all approximately 600 midshipmen who went on winter leave, and except for the one confirmed case, all others tested negative. However, it added that as a preventive measure, all will be quarantined for two weeks.

Meanwhile, there are criticisms that it is unfair for 600 midshipmen to have taken leave all at once while regular soldiers' leaves have been restricted for a long period due to COVID-19.

The winter leave period was about four weeks. It was also confirmed that the midshipmen took their summer leave normally last year.

Regarding this, a Navy official said, "Midshipmen cannot take leave during the semester due to the curriculum," and added, "Leave was inevitably granted by strengthening quarantine rules to prepare for the new semester."

As of this day, the cumulative number of confirmed cases in the military is 553, of which 10 are receiving treatment.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.