US Navy officials in Bahrain have confirmed a low rate of Covid-19 infection among their personnel and staff as part of strict screening measures.
This has allowed US ships to make port calls in Bahrain as sailors are welcomed to stay in a virus-free ‘bubble’ with limited interaction in designated areas.
This was revealed to the GDN by Fifth Fleet public affairs officer Lieutenant Commander Pete Pagano, who said the navy continues to follow US and Bahrain’s health guidelines aimed at reducing the spread of Covid-19 in the country.
Guidelines
“Positive cases among the military population in Bahrain continue to mirror the relatively low rate of infection throughout the country,” said Lt Cdr Pagano.
“We continue to strictly follow Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, US Department of Defence(DoD) and Bahrain’s Health Ministry guidelines to mitigate the spread of the virus.
“We thank the public health officials in Bahrain for their effective leadership and partnership in combating the effects of this global pandemic.”
Figures until Wednesday released by the DoD of personnel, civilians, dependants and contractors affected by Covid-19
Bahrain is among the countries that have recorded a high recovery rate from the virus in the region, with as many as 75,089 people getting treated and discharged (95.69 per cent).
The GDN reported on October 15 that Bahrain witnessed a 45pc drop in the number of daily active cases in the past four weeks that was acknowledged by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier.
Lt Cdr Pagano said the US military continues to prioritise safety and responds quickly to any incident impacting the health of its personnel.
“We continue to isolate positive cases and place close contacts into Restriction of Movement (ROM) pending comprehensive contact tracing and additional medical assessments.
“We have increased screening for all US military personnel en route to Bahrain and who are currently in the area.”
The official further thanked Bahrain’s authorities for escorting the largest warship in the world – USS Nimitz into Bahrain earlier this month.
He said since the initial spread of Covid-19, the US Navy had improved its response and mitigation measures, that allows sailors to move around safely at the port upon arrival here.
Safely
“After several successful Covid-free port visits by naval vessels, the Navy has established Covid mitigation policies that are effective in allowing ships’ crews to safely conduct port visits, including the recent visit to Bahrain by USS Nimitz and USS Princeton.
“During the ships’ scheduled logistics and maintenance port visit, sailors and marines were permitted liberty in cordoned off, designated areas on the piers.
“There was limited interaction with personnel outside the ships’ in order to maintain a Covid-free bubble.”
The USS Nimitz sails out of Bahrain earlier this month after making a port call
Longer deployment and no port calls due to the pandemic has prompted US Navy to push the US Congress to extend deployment pay to include time sailors spend in quarantine as part of their schedule.
Sailors now have to enter a quarantine period of 14 to 21 days before they deploy with the ship or other units in order to create a Covid-free bubble.
“Throughout this pandemic, maintaining our Fleet’s readiness while ensuring the safety and well-being of our personnel have been the top priority,” added Lt Cdr Pagano when asked about the deployment pay to sailors deployed to Bahrain.
The GDN reported in August that Fifth Fleet adapted to the new normal after Covid-19 positive cases have been reported among US military personnel, civilians and contractors in Bahrain.
It has installed extra hand sanitiser dispensers, handwashing stations in high-traffic areas, and Plexiglas barriers between workstations and at customer service desks.
In addition, individual spaces are assigned to enforce social distancing.
Testing
Bahrain is home to close to 8,500 US military members and their dependents.
The DoD has placed more than $3 billion in contract obligations, spanning more than 18,000 actions, to combat the pandemic. It will use the resources of the US government and the private sector as part of Operation Warp Speed (OWS) to accelerate the testing, supply, development and distribution of safe and effective vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics to counter Covid-19 by January.
sandy@gdn.com.bh
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