On March 13, a Sailor assigned to the US Navy’s amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) tested “presumptive positive” for COVID-19, marking the first case for a Sailor aboard a navy ship.
The individual is currently quarantined at home in accordance with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidelines, the navy said.
The test result is considered presumptive positive, pending confirmation by the CDC.
Personnel that the individual immediately identified having close contact with have been notified and are in self-isolation at their residences. None of them is aboard the ship currently.
USS Boxer is taking appropriate preventative measures and conducting a thorough cleaning.
Military health professionals are conducting a thorough contact investigation to determine whether any additional personnel were in close contact and possibly exposed. Depending on the results of that investigation, additional mitigations may be taken, the navy added.
The Wasp-class ship is docked at Naval Base San Diego, California.
On March 12, a US Navy Reservist was also tested “presumptive positive” for COVID-19 in Maine, marking the first positive case of a US Navy Reservist.