January 29th, local time, the U.S. Navy issued a statement confirming that about 12 crew members on the U.S. destroyer Chaffey tested positive for COVID-19.
According to the introduction, the destroyer “Chafi” is currently conducting “advanced tactical training in surface warfare” around San Diego.
Now the confirmed patients and close contacts have been evacuated from the ship for isolation, but the warship will continue to carry out its mission.
Previously, the local media The Navy Times reported that the warship “at least 41 of the 350 crew members have tested positive for COVID-19 or have close contact with the confirmed crew”.
According to the Navy Times, due to the shortage of epidemic prevention equipment on the warship, many crew members could not apply for new masks, and some crew members had to wear the same N95 mask for up to five days.
At the same time, due to the limited space in the destroyer, it is difficult for the crew to really implement the “limiting close contact” rule.
Robertson, spokesman of the Third Fleet, said that in order to reassure the crew and their families, the crew would be tested for the novel coronavirus on the 29th.
