[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-seop] A large-scale cluster infection has been confirmed within the Cheonghae Unit, where COVID-19 cases have occurred. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) plans to board personnel who have completed vaccination on an air refueling transport aircraft to take over the Munmu the Great ship.
According to the Republic of Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) on the 18th, as of 8 a.m., 61 out of 101 crew members who received test results from the Munmu the Great ship were newly confirmed positive. This accounts for 60.3% of those notified. Thus, the total number of confirmed cases increased to 68, just three days after the first confirmed case was identified on the 15th.
The JCS stated, "Out of approximately 300 crew members who underwent PCR testing requested by local health authorities, results for 101 have been received," adding, "Including the previous 7 confirmed cases, 68 tested positive and 33 tested negative."
About 200 crew members are still awaiting PCR test results. Depending on these results, the number of confirmed cases may increase significantly. There are about 80 symptomatic individuals on board, and all crew members are currently unvaccinated.
Suspected symptomatic crew members are also emerging. On this day, three crew members showing signs of suspected pneumonia were transferred to a local hospital, admitted, and are receiving treatment. The total number of hospitalized patients has risen to 15 (including 3 confirmed cases).
Except for those hospitalized, the remaining crew members are currently staying inside the ship. The Munmu the Great ship has isolated the entire ship area, separating bedrooms and dining spaces at a cohort level. It is known that they are currently awaiting the PCR test results of the remaining crew members.
According to the JCS, medical staff believe that three patients receiving intensive care among the hospitalized can be transported by Air Force transport aircraft. Accordingly, two Air Force multipurpose air refueling transport aircraft (KC-330) are scheduled to depart for the site this afternoon to facilitate the return of Cheonghae Unit soldiers.
The transport aircraft will carry an emergency dispatch unit composed of about 150 essential personnel for ship operation, including colonel-level officers who have completed vaccination. They will take over the Munmu the Great ship from the 34th Cheonghae Unit and navigate it back to Korea.
If the return is completed, it will be earlier than the scheduled mission rotation in mid-next month.
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