[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] The United States Forces Korea (USFK) is strengthening control over the US military base in Daegu. This comes as the first confirmed case of COVID-19 was reported within the US military base in Korea, raising the alert level.
On the 25th, USFK announced on its website, "A widow of a USFK member living in Daegu tested positive for COVID-19. This is the first time a USFK-related person has tested positive."
USFK initially raised the risk level and tightened base entry procedures. Consequently, restrictions on unit access imposed on the Daegu military base have been expanded to all USFK bases. In particular, meetings, gatherings, and temporary deployments are restricted unless the mission is essential. Movement of soldiers and civilian employees outside the base is also limited.
On the 19th of this month, as COVID-19 cases surged in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions, USFK raised the risk level from 'Low' (Row) to 'Moderate.' However, since the 61-year-old female COVID-19 patient was found to have visited the Camp Walker (Daegu US military base) PX on the 12th and 15th of this month, USFK elevated the risk level across the Korean Peninsula to 'High' on the previous day.
Previously, the Daegu military base restricted business trips and visits to the base and controlled access by outsiders. Since the 20th of this month, schools on the Daegu military base have been closed.
USFK also emphasized personal hygiene measures such as washing hands with soap for more than 20 seconds, avoiding touching the face or eyes with hands, and refraining from handshakes or close contact.
USFK stated, "Good hygiene management is the best preventive measure to stop the spread of the virus," and added, "We must maintain Fight Tonight readiness to protect our community."
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