American commanders in South Korea have imposed health protection condition Charlie for 28,500 U.S. troops and their families, which places restrictions on activities and interpersonal contact, after an American soldier stationed was found to have been infected by the COVID-19 virus.
The soldier was based at Camp Carroll in a town near Daegu, where the latest outbreak is centered.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 216 of 284 new cases reported were in Daegu.
“The patient, a 23-year old male, is currently in self-quarantine at his off-base residence,” said a statement from U.S. Forces Korea, which said Korea and U.S. military health professionals are tracing the people with whom the soldier had contact to determine whether others may have been exposed.
“USFK is implementing all appropriate control measures to help control the spread of COVID-19 and remains at risk level “high” for USFK peninsula-wide as a prudent measure to protect the force,” the statement said.
Gen. Robert Abrams, the U.S. Korea commander, has raised the risk level to U.S. forces to “high,” and U.S. Forces Korea has placed a “COVID-19 hotspot tracker” on its home page.
Under new restrictions, U.S. troops, as well as civilian workers and contractors, are being told to “limit non-mission essential in-person meetings,” and to “avoid close or unnecessary contact with others, including handshaking.”
Bowling alleys, movie theaters, and a golf course at four U.S. bases have been closed out of a “strong abundance of caution,” and “service members are restricted from attending non-essential off-installation activities and social events including eat-in seated dining (take-out is allowed), shopping, bars, clubs, movie theaters or locations that have more than 20 people,” according to a USFK advisory.
