April 1, 2020

Andrew Campbell 

US aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt was forced into port in Guam by the Coronavirus outbreak on board. As of March 30, it was reported at least 70 sailors were tested positive for COVID-19 infection. As the number of sailors stricken by the Coronavirus is escalating, the commanding officer, Captain Brett Crozier, was pleading with officials of Navy's Pacific Fleet for emergency help to stem the spread of Coronavirus aboard the ship.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and a methodical approach to cleaning the carrier, the Navy would require offloading 90% of the crew and maintain 10% to stay aboard to run the carrier’s nuclear reactor, keep the ship secure, respond to any emergencies, and sanitize the carrier.

The Navy has been moving members of the crew off the carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt in Guam and gets them into facilities and accommodation that would provide better isolation and quarantine.

On March 30, another US aircraft carrier, the USS Ronald Reagan, has also been reported to have some Coronavirus infection cases. 

Both aircraft carriers are sending out warnings of worsening situation aboard their ships and calling on the Navy to take decisive action to get sailors offshore as soon as possible.

Photo:Webshot.