It has been reported that as of Sunday, April 5, 50% of the crew onboard of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt had been positively tested for COVID-19, reaching the 155 positive cases up to now.
It should be reminded that the US Navy relieved the commander of the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt, who wrote a scathing letter that leaked to the public asking the Navy for stronger measures to control a COVID-19 outbreak onboard the ship.
Following the news, 1,825 Sailors have moved ashore to hotels in Guam.
The Commander of U.S. 7th Fleet visited USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) leadership in port at Naval Base Guam while the aircraft carrier undergoes its COVID-19 recovery efforts April 5.
Vice Adm. Bill Merz, commander stated that
The team in Guam has shown enormous spirit and focus getting this ship healthy again. Know that every day, regardless of what the challenge may be, my number one priority is to sustain the warfighting posture of 7th Fleet, and the most important element of this number one priority is the Sailors.
The ship arrived in Guam on March 27 for a scheduled port visit. Prior to the port visit three Sailors tested positive for COVID-19. The Navy is working closely with the Government of Guam and Joint Region Marianas to follow U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines to move Sailors safely off ship while continuing to maintain the vessel’s readiness to operate at sea.
Concluding, the US Navy informs that sailors from Theodore Roosevelt will be using various hotels across the island, allowing them to align with the recommended 14-day quarantine period while also maintaining an all hands effort aboard to sanitize the ship.