[Comprehensive] COVID-19 Cases Confirmed in Cheonghae Unit... Possibility of Multiple Infections

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Six crew members of the 34th Cheonghae Unit's Munmu the Great-class destroyer have tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Since diagnostic tests are planned for all crew members, the possibility of additional confirmed cases cannot be ruled out.

According to the Ministry of National Defense on the 15th, several crew members of the Cheonghae Unit showed cold symptoms, and on the 13th, PCR tests were conducted on six crew members, all of whom tested positive for COVID-19. Additionally, on the 14th, one officer showing pneumonia symptoms was evacuated to a local civilian hospital, where a PCR test is scheduled.

The Munmu the Great-class destroyer is composed of about 300 personnel, including the ship's crew, a checkpoint team formed of special forces (UDT·SEAL) soldiers, and an aviation unit operating maritime operation helicopters (LYNX). Currently, the Cheonghae Unit is cohort isolating confirmed and symptomatic individuals in separate facilities on board and plans to conduct diagnostic tests on all crew members. However, since the six confirmed cases likely had close contact with most of the crew in confined spaces, the number of confirmed cases is expected to increase. The military is also reportedly considering deploying transport aircraft.

The military is investigating the infection route, considering that the officer with pneumonia symptoms performed a military logistics loading mission at a local port at the end of last month. Furthermore, since the Cheonghae Unit has participated in maritime security operations led by the Combined Maritime Forces Counter-Piracy Task Force (CTF-151) and the European Union Naval Force Somalia Command, contact with confirmed cases from other countries' militaries cannot be ruled out. The 34th Cheonghae Unit underwent PCR tests twice in January and February before deployment, all of which were negative. However, it is reported that they have not been vaccinated against COVID-19.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff stated, "We are coordinating with local diplomatic missions to conduct diagnostic tests for all crew members," and added, "We are devising measures for the prompt treatment of confirmed cases, prevention of spread, and transportation plans for their return to Korea."

Meanwhile, the 34th Cheonghae Unit took over the mission from the 33rd unit's Choi Young-class destroyer in March and is scheduled to carry out its mission until August.