COVID-19 Cases Increase Among Service Members, Mirroring Community Spread

July 2, 2020

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 among service members almost doubled in June, according to DOD data.

DOD reported 6,396 cases in service members on June 1, which grew to 12,521 by July 1, Military.com reported. Combined with cases among civilian personnel, dependents and contractors, the total number of confirmed cases within DOD is 18,071, as of July 1.

“Not surprisingly, we’re seeing some uptick in our cases in terms of infection largely around where we’re seeing it in the civilian community, so in Florida, Texas, Arizona, some parts of California,” Thomas McCaffery, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, told reporters at the Pentagon Wednesday. “That wouldn’t be a surprise; we’re part of the community.”

The Pentagon does not release case load data for individual installations.

McCafferty said the military has been testing more symptomatic and asymptomatic people, which is one reason for the uptick in confirmed cases, and that DOD is isolating patients and tracing their contacts after each positive test, Military Times reported.

“We would be concerned with any identification of new infections, but we are taking the same measures that the public health community writ large would take,” he said.

Army photo by Sgt. Ashton Hofmeister

July 2, 2020

Recent News

What’s in the House’s Draft NDAA

What’s in the House’s Draft NDAA

The House Armed Services Committee released its draft fiscal year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act this week. Among many other provisions, the draft bill: Sticks to the $883.7 billion topline budget figure established in last year’s budget deal Requires a DOD...

In Our Communities

In Our Communities

President Biden signed an order to block a Chinese-backed cryptocurrency mining firm from owning land near Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, AP reported. The order was in coordination with the multi-agency Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States....

In Our Communities

In Our Communities

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly (D) vetoed legislation that would have limited foreign investor ownership of land near military installations, WIBW reported. Kelly cited constitutional concerns with some of the bill’s provisions. “If the legislature is serious about...

PAST STORIES

Snap of the Week

Air Force Maj. Gen. Vanessa Dornhoefer greets a World War II veteran during a V-E Day ceremony at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. May...

read more