Update: Fort Benning confirmed Tuesday that an employee has tested positive for the new coronavirus, the third COVID-19 case associated with the military installation. The unidentified person has self-quarantined since March 16 at home, which is off post. People who have had contact with this person have been notified by the Columbus Health Department and are isolating in their homes.
A U.S. Army civilian employee at Fort Stewart near Georgia’s coast has tested positive for the new coronavirus and is being isolated at home in Liberty County, the military installation announced Tuesday morning.
The base did not identify the patient but said the military and local health authorities were seeking to learn how and where the patient was exposed to COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
This is the third person connected to a military base in Georgia who has tested positive for the highly contagious illness. Two others who sought medical care at a hospital on Fort Benning near Columbus have been diagnosed with the disease.
“Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield continues to take the threat of COVID-19 seriously and the health and welfare of our soldiers, family members, civilians and local community remains our top priority,” said Maj. Gen. Tony Aguto, commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division, which is headquartered at Fort Stewart. “We continue to implement efforts to protect ourselves and those we love, and are working closely with a number of military and civilian agencies to limit the spread of this virus, both on and off of our installations.”
Last week, the 3rd Infantry Division confirmed that about 25 U.S. servicemembers and Department of the Army civilians were “under a precautionary 14-day observation and monitoring period, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.”
“The majority of those personnel came to Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield from overseas locations and are at both on- and off-post locations,” said Lt. Col. Patrick Husted, a spokesman for the 3rd Infantry Division.
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