Navy airlifts four sailors sickened with coronavirus off aircraft carrier

Four sailors who tested positive for coronavirus were evacuated today off the USS Roosevelt while it was at sea, the Navy confirmed Wednesday evening.

“The four Sailors were taken to U.S. Naval Hospital Guam for evaluation and treatment,” Navy spokesman wrote in a statement from Navy CDR Myers Vasquez to Just the News.

“Surveillance testing of the four Sailors conducted March 24 was indicative of COVID-19,” Vasquez wrote. “The individuals were isolated in accordance with CDC guidelines until the Sailors could be flown off the ship.”

Typically, people depart an at-sea aircraft carrier by transport helicopter or by propeller-driven plane, in which case they are launched from a catapult. The Navy did not specify which method it used to evacuate the sailors.

“Joint Region Marianas has been working in cooperation with the Government of Guam to ensure proper advance notification of the patients’ arrival on Guam,” Vasquez wrote. “The patients will be treated at U.S. Naval Hospital Guam and will be isolated at U.S. Naval Base Guam in accordance with CDC protocols.”

The Navy did not elaborate on what health protocols are now in place for sailors who remain aboard the Roosevelt.