BELVOIR GARRISON TORNADO DRILL MARCH 17 9:45 A.M. #BePrepared
www.belvoireagleonline.com
March 12, 2020
DoD, Fort Belvoir confront coronavirus
By Claudette Roulo DoD News
All 13 of DoD’s clinical labs can run he Defense Department is taking the necessary tests to action to protect people, safeguard determine whether a critical national security missions person has COVID-19, and capabilities and support the whole-ofthe general noted. government approach to confronting the “The Department of spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, Defense has had plans DoD spokesman Jonathan Rath Hoffman for dealing with disease said Tuesday. outbreaks like this for Combatant commanders have the years,” Friedrichs said, authority to take measures to protect adding that each base personnel from exposure to the virus, has a coordinated plan Hoffman said during a press briefing at with local authorities. the Pentagon. That may mean modifying, Friedrichs later told postponing or canceling some training, reporters that the No. 1 he said. thing he’d like to know At the Pentagon, one of the world’s about COVID-19 is largest office buildings, Hoffman said educational materials are being distributed whether it’s seasonal. “Because if it is seasonal, and good hygiene practices are being Photo by Paul Lara then it will start to burn Fort Belvoir Garrison personnel meet Wednesday morning at a COVID-19 reinforced. The visitor entry process is out in the next couple of under evaluation, he said, and people are Crisis Action Team meeting. months,” he said. practicing social distancing for meetings “And that buys us a little bit more time and briefings. until the fall when it comes back. And that Across the force, three active-duty Service members, one each in South Korea, means that we have more time to work on medical countermeasures and vaccines, and Europe and the U.S.; four family members, all the other things that we have for the flu.” a government civilian and a contractor have so far been diagnosed with COVID-19, Editor’s Note: Information regarding Fort Belvoir Public Affairs said Air Force Brig. Gen. Paul Friedrichs, COVID-19 changes often. This article ecently, there has been one Marine being the Joint Staff surgeon, during the briefing. is the most recent Department of Defense treated for COVID-19 at Fort Belvoir “All are doing well at this point,” he said. news available to the Eagle at the time Community Hospital. The Marine did The department is taking these of publication. We encourage our readers not work or live on Belvoir. As a result of precautions because COVID-19 is a new to visit defense.gov often for the latest limited community transmission of COVID-19 virus and scientists are still learning about information on military efforts to combat in the National Capital Region, the Fort Belvoir how easy it is to spread, Friedrichs said. COVID-19. Health Protection Condition is now at Alpha. The installation continues to work with federal and local partners, implementing measures recommended to reduce the virus’ spread. As a preventive measure and public safety precaution, personnel accessing the installation If you believe you’ve been in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and should be prepared to show the front and back of have not traveled to any of the affected areas, here is how you can determine your risk for contracting the virus. their ID cards to the gate guards, without handing NO RISK LOW RISK MEDIUM RISK HIGH RISK it to them. Belvoir Hospital is following guidelines and Walking by or briefly being Being in the same room Sustained contact within Close household contacts recommendations of the Centers for Disease in the same room as a as a person who tested 6 feet of a person with of people with a confirmed Control, as recommended by the DoD, and have in person who tested positive positive for COVID-19 and COVID-19 while they had case of COVID-19 are at an place a process for screening people who present for COVID-19. had symptoms but you symptoms. elevated risk. symptoms and providing them with appropriate were not within 6 feet. health care. They have made every effort, in accordance with CDC guidance, to control the spread of all infections and stand ready to safely If you believe you are either in the medium- or high-risk categories, call the Nurse Advice Line at 1-800-874-2273. Learn continue all routine hospital operations. more about how to assess your risk from the CDC at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus. Information about COVID-19 is available at: www.tricare.mil/coronavirus and www.health.mil/coronavirus Learn more about Health Protection-Alpha and COVID-19 information at home.army.mil/belvoir. Additionally, health.mil contains information and links from the Military Health System.
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Fort Belvoir at Health Protection Condition-Alpha
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