The coronavirus has struck another US Navy ship, this time the destroyer USS Kidd, on which almost 50 crew members have tested positive for the disease, according to a report.
“Two Sailors have been medically evacuated to the United States. 15 Sailors have been transferred to USS Makin Island (LHD 8) for monitoring due to persistent symptoms,” the Navy told NPR in a statement.
“None are in the ICU or on ventilators. Sailors aboard Kidd are wearing PPE and N95 masks,” it said.
Nearly half the crew members have been tested for the virus, the Navy added.
“As of today, 45% of USS Kidd (DDG 100) crewmembers have been tested for COVID-19, with 47 total positive results,” according to the official blog Navy Live.
A message posted to ship’s Facebook page described how doctors on the ship were “working tirelessly to not only test new cases but to care for our positive cases,” NPR reported.
“I am an optimist, but make no mistake. KIDD is in a fight right now, against COVID and against anyone out there who might want to capitalize on what they perceive as a weakness,” said the Facebook post, which was signed by the executive officer, Cmdr. Matt Noland.
“Destroyers are tough ships that breed tough Sailors. Warfighters. We’ve got this,” it added.
NPR reported that the Kidd will likely visit a California port when it returns to the mainland U.S. CNN has reported that it had been on a “counter-narcotics mission.”
The outbreak on the Kidd is the second one involving a US Navy vessel.
Chief Petty Officer Charles Robert Thacker Jr., a crewman aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, died April 13 of COVID-19.
As of Monday, 955 Roosevelt crew members have the virus, one is hospitalized and 14 have recovered. More than 4,000 are going through quarantine ashore.
The Roosevelt’s commander, Capt. Brett Crozier, was removed from his post after he sent a letter to Navy brass that was leaked to the media in which he pleaded with them to quarantine the crew.
Adm. Mike Gilday has since recommended that Crozier, who also tested positive for the illness, be returned to his ship.
