Sailor from U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt dies from Coronavirus
A sailor from the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt who had contracted the Coronavirus has died, ten days after the ship's captain had been relieved of duty after his plea for Coronavirus help had been leaked to the press.
The sailor, whose identification has not yet been released by the Navy, had been transferred to the Intensive Care Unit of a U.S. Navy hospital in Guam last week.
The Pentagon says over 600 sailors from the aircraft carrier have tested positive for the virus - well over 10 percent of the crew.
A sailor assigned to the USS Theodore Roosevelt (Captain Crozier's former ship), who was admitted to the US Naval Hospital Guam's ICU last week, died today of COVID-related complications, per the US Navy.
— Peter Alexander (@PeterAlexander) April 13, 2020
The ship remains in port in Guam, where crew members have been treated and tested for the virus.
Last week, top military officials said the arrival of the virus was forcing them to re-think daily military operations on how to deal with the Coronavirus.
"There's 5,000 sailors on a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier," said said Joint Chiefs Vice Chairman Gen. John Hyten. "To think that it will never happen again is not a good way to plan."
With latest Navy numbers, about 12 percent of the Theodore Roosevelt's crew has tested positive for the coronavirus so far https://t.co/wzRM3JCqQg
— Phil Stewart (@phildstewart) April 13, 2020
The entire DoD is deeply saddened by the loss of our first AD member to COVID. Our thoughts are w the family of the sailor who lost his battle w the virus today. We remain committed to protecting our personnel & their families while continuing to assist in defeating this outbreak
— @EsperDoD (@EsperDoD) April 13, 2020
The ousted skipper, Captain Brett Crozier, is still in Guam, after reportedly also testing positive for the virus.
The Navy said on Monday that four other sailors from the Theodore Roosevelt have been hospitalized.
“We remain committed to protecting our personnel and their families while continuing to assist in defeating this outbreak,” said Defense Secretary Mark Esper.
