Surging COVID-19 cases at US bases in S. Korea prompts emergency meeting with health authorities

Posted on : 2022-01-11 18:07 KST Modified on : 2022-01-11 18:07 KST
682 new COVID-19 cases were reported at US military bases in Korea between Dec. 28 and Jan. 3
A person stands at the entrance to the Yongsan Garrison in Seoul on Friday afternoon. (Yonhap News)
A person stands at the entrance to the Yongsan Garrison in Seoul on Friday afternoon. (Yonhap News)

South Korean disease control authorities announced that an emergency meeting was recently held with US Forces Korea in response to a spike in confirmed COVID-19 cases at US military bases in the country.

The authorities explained that they had held discussions with USFK on a stronger disease control response, with plans to step up disease management efforts within the community.

“On Jan. 6, we held an emergency meeting with USFK for sharing information regarding the situation of confirmed COVID-19 cases on military bases and to discuss measures to step up disease prevention and minimize transmission within the local community,” explained Lee Sang-won, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters’ epidemiological investigation and analysis team, during a scheduled briefing Monday.

The meeting came in response to a recent sharp increase in COVID-19 cases within USFK. Between Dec. 28 and Jan. 3, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases within USFK rose by 682.

“USFK is to increase working from home, improve testing within bases, and discourage people from using multiuse facilities outside of the bases,” Lee explained.

“The South Korean government is also stepping up its community disease management, for example by encouraging residents of regions near USFK bases to receive a third vaccine dose,” he added.

Disease control authorities plan to continue discussing progress at weekly meetings attended by USFK, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, and the relevant local governments until the current wave subsides.

In response to the sharp increase in cases, USFK moved on Saturday to increase its health protection condition (HPCON) level from Bravo (B) to Bravo Plus (B+).

HPCON classifies risk levels on a scale from Alpha (A) to Bravo (B), Charlie (C), and Delta (D). The increase in the HPCON levels means that unit members are restricted to visiting Seoul only for activities related to official duties. They are also barred from visiting bars, clubs, theaters, saunas, and outside health facilities.

The HPCON guidelines apply not only to USFK troops but also to civilian employees, family members, contracted employees, and anyone else entering USFK facilities.

On Friday, South Korean President Moon Jae-in called for “close cooperation with USFK to more comprehensively manage disease control efforts to USFK bases and troops.”

By Jang Hyeon-eun, staff reporter

Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]

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