Two cases of coronavirus found at Fort Jackson, Army officials announce
Two positive cases of the coronavirus have been identified at Fort Jackson, Army officials said Monday afternoon.
A soldier in training and an officer attending a course on the base tested positive and are in isolation, according to a statement from Fort Jackson officials. They are receiving medical care and will not return to duty until they are cleared.
The solider was training with the 3rd battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment. The officer was taking the Adjutant General Basic Officer Leader course.
Areas that the two soldiers visited are being sanitized, and health officials at Fort Jackson are working to identify anyone who may have been exposed, according to the statement.
“Everyone’s health and safety is my first concern,” Fort Jackson Commander Brig. Gen. Milford H. Beagle, Jr. said in a statement.
”I am grateful for everyone’s patience and empathy over the last month as we have been fighting the spread of COVID-19,” Beagle added in the statement. “We need to continue to work together and help each other as we navigate through this health emergency.”
In all, South Carolina health officials have identified 298 cases of COVID-19 across the state as of Monday afternoon. Of those cases, 45 were found in Richland County.
In all, five people have died from the coronavirus in South Carolina.
Fort Jackson is keeping new soldiers on base after graduating rather than shipping them to their advanced training.
“Fort Jackson has the ability to house soldiers who graduate but are required to stay at Fort Jackson,” a spokeswoman said. “Historically, 83% of recruits show up through the recruiting process to Fort Jackson. Therefore, we have opportunities to consolidate incoming trainees and shift available bed space.”
Also the nation’s largest basic training installation has closed future graduations to the public, closed a gate, limited access to other gates and is conducting temperature checks and asking questions about coronavirus symptoms of everyone who enters.
Also, on-post advanced training schools are closed and religious services have been canceled.
According to news releases:
Gate 5 (Semmes & Leesburg Road) has been closed until further notice.
Gate 1 (Jackson Boulevard), Gate 2 (Forest Drive), and Gate 4 (Boyden Arbor Road) remain open with normal hours
The Gate 5 closure was necessary to allow for the additional protective measure at the other gates.
All morale and welfare services, such as libraries, the movie theater, and bowling lanes, have been closed. The non-commissioned officer’s club and on-post restaurants are offering only takeout.
The PX will remain open for sales, but will have purchase limits on select items. The commissary will also remain open, but will also with purchase limits.
The fort is not permitting access to Veteran Health Identification Card eligible veterans. Only Common Access Card, dependent identification card holders, retiree ID card holders, and Defense Biometric Identification System cardholders will be allowed on post.
Defense Biometric Identification System cardholders who are in the following categories will be able to go on post:
▪ Approved contractors
▪ Care givers
▪ Government housing residents
▪ Department of Defense families
▪ Dependent agents caring for families
▪ Mission support personnel
▪ Retirees, family members and those with other government ID cards
“We appreciate your understanding and patience as we take these precautions to protect ourselves and those around us,” Beagle said.
For more information, follow Fort Jackson’s social media platforms and monitor its COVID-19 prevention and updates page at https://home.army.mil/jackson/index.php/about/coronavirus-2019-prevention-and-updates
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
The coronavirus is spreading in the United States. Officials are urging people to take precautions to avoid getting sick, and to avoid spreading the disease if they do contract it.
Click the drop-down icon on this card for more on the virus and what you should do to keep yourself and those around you healthy.
What is coronavirus?
Coronavirus is an infection of the respiratory system similar to the flu. Coronaviruses are a class of viruses that regularly cause illnesses among adults and children, but this outbreak has spawned a new disease called COVID-19, a particularly harsh respiratory condition that can lead to death.
Health officials believe COVID-19 spread from animals to humans somewhere in China. It spreads among humans by physical person-to-person contact, including via coughs. That’s why health officials urge sick individuals to avoid contact with other people.
For more information, visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms are similar to the flu and include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
How can I stop the spread of the coronavirus?
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
If you develop symptoms similar to the coronavirus, you should seek medical attention. Stay home from work or school and avoid contact with others. It can take up to 14 days after coming into contact with the virus to develop symptoms.
COVID-19 is a new condition and there’s much about the disease we still don’t understand. For now, taking precautions is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
This story was originally published March 23, 2020 at 5:25 PM.
