A Camp Lejeune dependent has tested presumptively positive for COVID-19 at Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune, base officials announced Thursday.
The dependent patient is receiving treatment in isolation with their family, who has also been in isolation at a home on base due to the high risk of exposure to a known COVID-19 patient outside of the local area, according to a release from Marine Corps Installations East-Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune late Thursday.
The test results are pending confirmation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to the release. None of the other family members who were also exposed to the confirmed COVID-19 patient have tested positive for the virus at this time.
“We are taking this situation very seriously and we continue to reinforce our messages of social distancing, hygiene and personal and community safety,” said Kristen Richmond-Hoover, director of Onslow County Health Department, in a separate release from the county Thursday evening.
It was determined by Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune that the patient did not contract the infection through community transmission.
According to the release, the family had been in quarantine since before the symptoms presented so the risk of spread from this source is very unlikely.
The patient and family will remain in isolation on the base in accordance with CDC protocol and are under strict supervision of NMCCL.
“The Marine Corps is committed to protecting the health of our communities,” officials stated. “We will continue to monitor the situation and coordinate with U.S. health agencies and to preserve the wellness of our service members and families.”
Personnel who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 such as a cough, fever and shortness of breath or have been exposed to the virus should remain home and contact their health care professional for guidance.
The Onslow County Health Department and Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune continue to investigate, according to the release.
___
© 2020 The Daily News
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
