USFK struggling with increasing COVID-19 cases

This notice on the U.S. Forces Korea Facebook account shows the extension of its "shelter in place" directive for the U.S. Army Garrison (USAG) Yongsan through Sunday amid a consistent increase in the number of COVID-19 infections among service members, civilian contractors and dependent family members. / Captured from USFK Facebook

By Jun Ji-hye

The U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) is struggling to cope with an increasing number of COVID-19 cases among its service members, civilian contractors and dependent family members here, most of whom tested positive upon their arrival here from the United States.

The increase in the number of USFK-linked cases has come as South Korea has started to see a slowdown in infections on the back of the country's tightened social distancing measures.

According to the USFK, Wednesday, a Department of Defense civilian working on U.S. Army Garrison (USAG) Yongsan in central Seoul tested positive for the coronavirus Monday, following direct contact with someone who tested positive earlier.

"He tested positive after developing symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and is currently in isolation at a facility in USAG Humphreys, designated for confirmed COVID-19 cases," the USFK said in a release. "USFK health professionals determined contact tracing was limited due to the individual being in quarantine."

The latest case raised the total number of USFK-linked cases to 636.

The announcement came a day after the U.S. military said 31 USFK-affiliated individuals had tested positive for COVID-19 after arriving in Korea between Dec. 29 and Jan. 18.

Of them, 13 service members and three dependents arrived at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, on U.S. government chartered flights from the United States, while 13 other service members, one civilian and one dependent arrived on international commercial flights at Incheon International Airport.

USFK said all infected individuals have since been transferred to isolation facilities at USAG Humphreys, and Osan and Gunsan Air Bases, noting that thorough cleaning of all transportation assets and quarantine rooms has been completed.

As part of effort to stem the spread of the coronavirus, the USFK extended a "shelter in place" directive, which had been scheduled to end Tuesday, to continue through Sunday, calling on service members at USAG Yongsan to stay at home except for when needed, such as leaving to purchase necessities.

Gen. Robert B. Abrams, the commanding general for U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), receives a COVID-19 vaccine shot at Brian D. Allgood Army Community Hospital at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, in this handout photo taken and released on Dec. 29 by the USFK. / Yonhap

On Dec. 29, the USFK began administering COVID-19 vaccines to front-line healthcare workers and has since expanded inoculations to a broader range of its members.

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