TAMPA, Fla. — The first case of the COVID-19 coronavirus has been confirmed at MacDill Air Force Base.
A member of U.S. Central Command tested positive on Friday.
According to CENTCOM, the U.S. Navy sailor had traveled overseas. He returned on March 15 and “immediately entered precautionary quarantine at his residence without stopping at U.S. Central Command headquarters or MacDill AFB,” Capt. Bill Urban said.
Urban said the sailor developed symptoms on March 18, called ahead to the MacDill AFB Clinic and was met outside by medical professionals who tested him.
“We remain in close coordination with state and federal authorities, and public health authorities to ensure the well-being of our personnel and the local population,” he said.
Urban confirms the sailor remains in isolation and is recovering at home Saturday morning.
Col. Stephen Snelson, MacDill AFB commander, let the community know about the first positive case of COVID-19 via a video posted to Facebook.
“Unfortunately, we’ve reached a point that we hoped wouldn’t come, but we ultimately knew it was only a matter of time,” Colonel Stephen Snelson said.
Snelson praised the sailor for following CDC guidelines and quarantining after travel.
“The safety of our Airmen, families and employees is our top priority. We will continue to work with our interagency partners to ensure we do everything we can to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 and ensure our Airmen, families and employees here have the most up-to-date information on appropriate measures to prevent the potential spread of the virus,” the Facebook caption read.
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