COVID-19 Cases Recur on US Nuclear Carrier Roosevelt... Operations Continue

Three Crew Members Tested Positive Asymptomatic
Countering China in the South China Sea... "Operation Continues"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Three COVID-19 cases have been confirmed on the U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), which is deployed in the South China Sea to counter China. However, the U.S. Navy stated that all confirmed cases are asymptomatic and no close contacts have tested positive, so the ship continues its operations and maintains full operational status.

According to foreign media including Fox News on the 15th (local time), the U.S. Navy announced that three crew members of the CVN-71, part of the Pacific Fleet operating alongside the USS Nimitz in the South China Sea conducting operations and training, tested positive for COVID-19. All three confirmed cases are asymptomatic, and no close contacts have tested positive.

The U.S. Navy explained, "We are implementing COVID-19 mitigation measures in accordance with Navy and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, including mandatory mask-wearing, social distancing, hygiene, and disinfection," and stated that the CVN-71 will maintain full operational status. This is interpreted as the nuclear carrier playing a crucial role in deterring Chinese provocations in the South China Sea and the absence of additional confirmed cases.

Previously, in March last year, three sailors aboard the CVN-71 tested positive for COVID-19 while underway, and subsequently, about 1,300 crew members?over a quarter of the ship's complement?were collectively infected, with one fatality. Then-Commander Brett Crozier sent a letter to the Department of Defense requesting permission for most of the crew to disembark, but it was initially denied. After the matter was exposed by the media, crew disembarkation was permitted, but Commander Crozier was relieved of command, sparking significant controversy.

Following this, the CVN-71 was docked in Guam for over two months with all crew members quarantined, temporarily weakening the U.S. Pacific forces and raising concerns about a security vacuum. Later, at the end of May, when the Chinese government passed the Hong Kong National Security Law and large-scale protests erupted in Hong Kong, criticism arose that the Pacific Fleet’s COVID-19 outbreak had provided an opportunity for China.

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