93 sailors have coronavirus on carrier, Navy will remove 2,700 sailors from ship
5 hrs ago
© U.S. Navy
An F/A-18F Super Hornet launches from the flight deck of the
aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) March 18, 2020.
The
number of positive tests for the novel coronavirus
aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt has
now risen to 93,
according to acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly, who added that the
goal now is to move another 2,700 members of the ship's crew of
5,000 ashore to Guam.
MORE:
36 sailors test positive for coronavirus
on Navy aircraft carrier
Testing
of the ship's crew continues as it is berthed in Guam, Modly said
at a Pentagon news conference Wednesday. So far, 500 coronavirus
tests have come back negative.
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Modly
said that about 1,000 sailors have been taken off the ship and that
approximately 2,700 will eventually be taken off the ship in coming
days.
He
also said there are no plans to take all of the crewmembers off the
ship as a number of them must remain aboard to deal with essentials
like running the nuclear reactor and ensuring the safety of the
weapons aboard.
© U.S. Navy
An F/A-18F Super Hornet launches from the flight deck of the
aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) March 18, 2020.
Adm.
Mike Gilday, the chief of naval operations, told reporters that
about 1,000 sailors need to remain aboard the carrier to ensure
those functions.
Modly
emphasized that if the ship needs to head to sea for an emergency
it still can do so -- one reason why some crewmen will remain
aboard.
This
is a developing news story. Please check back for updates.
What to know about coronavirus:
- How it started and how to protect yourself: coronavirus explained
- Tracking the spread in the US and Worldwide: coronavirus map
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