▲ Cheonghae Unit's Munmu


The military authorities started emergency measures after 6 confirmed cases of COVID-19 were found on the 34th base of the Navy's Cheonghae Unit (4,400 tons) dispatched overseas.



The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) announced today (15th), "As one executive of the Cheonghae Unit (Munmu the Great) was evacuated on the 14th with symptoms of pneumonia, the results of diagnostic tests on 6 people who had symptoms among those in contact were all positive."



A military source said, "A local civilian hospital official boarded the ship and conducted a gene amplification (PCR) test for symptomatic patients."



An executive with symptoms of pneumonia is known to have carried out a mission to load military supplies at a local port at the end of last month.



He was transported to a local private hospital, where he will be tested.



The Cheonghae Unit quarantined the confirmed patients in a separate facility inside the ship, and those with symptoms were also quarantined in a cohort (same group) in a separate facility inside the ship.



It is said that the PCR test will be carried out as soon as possible on 300 crew members.



The Joint Chiefs of Staff explained, "We are discussing with the local diplomatic mission for a diagnostic test for all crew members."



There are many enclosed spaces in the trap and all ventilation facilities are connected, so there is concern about the possibility of group infection.



The Joint Chiefs of Staff emphasized, "We are devising measures for rapid treatment and prevention of spread of confirmed cases and transport measures for their return to Korea.



The military is said to be considering the possibility of using transport aircraft.



It is reported that all of the crew of the Cheonghae Unit 34 departed in February and were not vaccinated.  



(Photo = Yonhap News)