14 Members of Hanbit Unit in South Sudan Test Positive for COVID-19

Hanbit Unit security troops are conducting QRF (quick reaction force) dispatch training on the 6th (local time) within the Bor Gidi compound in South Sudan. (Photo by South Sudan Joint Press Corps)

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter]It has been confirmed that multiple COVID-19 cases have occurred within the Hanbit Unit, which recently departed for South Sudan for troop rotation.

According to a Joint Chiefs of Staff official on the 21st, among approximately 140 personnel of the 15th Hanbit Unit 1st Detachment who arrived earlier on site, one person tested positive, and 13 others were confirmed positive through the X-Pert test, a rapid PCR testing device.

Since the X-Pert device has a high accuracy rate of about 98%, the total number of confirmed cases, including those who tested positive, amounts to 14, all of whom have completed their third vaccine dose. Currently, all are asymptomatic.

Additionally, according to UN guidelines, which require a 14-day quarantine after arrival in the host country before commencing official duties, the entire 15th 1st Detachment is in quarantine, and the confirmed cases emerged during this period, so there is no disruption to the ongoing mission of the previous 14th unit.

A Joint Chiefs of Staff official stated, "We are strictly managing the situation in cooperation with the Situation Management Task Force, the Ministry of National Defense, the Medical Corps, and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency," adding, "Oral antiviral treatments have also been secured."