Most bases > health protections

WASHINGTON - The U.S. military has increased health protection requirements in at least 21 bases in recent weeks, particularly across Texas and Florida, as the COVID-19 rate continues to spike among service members, more than doubling in the last month. The rising numbers match the increase coronavirus cases in the general public. The military still has a dramatically low death rate, losing three service members - including just one active-duty - out of nearly 23,000 cases to date. The moves to higher alert levels at the defense installations are somewhat limited because the military as a whole has been much slower to loosen pandemic restrictions than states around the country, particularly sections of the South and West. “I find that each base does things a little bit different, and they’ve adapted very carefully,” Defense Secretary Mark Esper said this past week. According to data obtained by The AP, more than 45 percent of military bases around the world are currently at “health condition Charlie,” which involves “substantial risk” of “sustained community transmission” of the virus. A significant number of those bases are spread across the South and West and have stayed at or gone back to level C. That’s one step below the most restrictive level, on a scale that goes from Zero to Level D - Severe. Under level C, base access and travel is restricted, gatherings likely cancelled, and more worked from home. Under level B, social distancing and other health procedures are still recommended, but more movement, travel and in-person gatherings are allowed. Nearly all of the remaining bases are at level B, moderate risk. Remote bases, such as AF installations in Norway and Greenland, are at level A-plus. The AF has had the most installations (14) to have reduced restrictions only to have to revert back. The Navy went back to level C at four locations this month. Army/Marines each has had only one base increase restrictions after loosening them earlier. NAS/Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, at Belle Chasse, also reduced restrictions. The military has relied largely on its local commanders to make decisions about restrictions. (Source: The Associated Press 07/26/20) https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2020/07/26/more-military-bases-increase-health-protections-due-to-virus/