Cluster of COVID-19 Cases Confirmed on Two US Warships Deployed in the Middle East

Amphibious Transport Dock (LPD) USS San Diego of the U.S. Navy
[Image Source=AP Yonhap News]

A large number of COVID-19 cases have been confirmed on two U.S. naval ships deployed in the Middle East.

According to the Associated Press, the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet, responsible for the Middle East, announced on the 26th (local time) that a cluster of COVID-19 cases was detected on the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego and the missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea.

On the USS San Diego, 12 crew members tested positive for COVID-19 and were quarantined on board. The ship was docked in Bahrain, and the docking and medical support were carried out in coordination with the Bahraini government.

Several individuals on the USS Philippine Sea who are suspected of being infected are under investigation, and the ship is also scheduled to dock for additional testing. The specific docking location of the USS Philippine Sea has not been disclosed due to "operational security" reasons.

The AP explained that typically about 600 sailors and marines are assigned to the USS San Diego, and about 380 to the USS Philippine Sea.

Previously, in March last year, the U.S. Navy experienced a cluster infection on the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, where three sailors initially tested positive for COVID-19, followed by about 1,300 crew members?approximately one-quarter of the crew?being infected.

As a result, the USS Theodore Roosevelt had to remain docked in Guam for about two months. At that time, Captain Brett Crozier sent a letter to the Department of Defense requesting permission to allow the crew to disembark, but after the letter was leaked to the media, he was relieved of his command.

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