Updated May 17, 2020 - Health

13 sailors on USS Theodore Roosevelt test positive for coronavirus again

Orion Rummler

In this image, the Theodore Roosevelet sits by the coast — The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt docked at Naval Base Guam in Apra Harbor on April 27. Photo: Tony Azios/AFP via Getty Images

Thirteen sailors onboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt have tested positive for the coronavirus for a second time, Politico reports. Those sailors had recently returned from over two weeks of self-isolation following earlier positive COVID-19 diagnoses.

The big picture: The initial virus outbreak on the ship led to Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly's early April resignation. He had relieved the Theodore Roosevelt's captain after the official pled for help due to members of his crew contracting the coronavirus.

What they're saying: “The five sailors developed influenza-like illness symptoms and executed their personal responsibility by reporting to medical for evaluation,” Navy spokesman Cmdr. Myers Vasquez told Task & Purpose in a statement when the initial news broke that sailors had tested positive again.

“The sailors were immediately removed from the ship and placed back in isolation, their close contacts were mapped, and they are receiving the required medical care.”
An additional 18 crew members who have not shown COVID-19 symptoms have also been removed from the ship, Task & Purpose reports.

One Navy sailor onboard the ship died in mid-April of complications from the virus.

Go deeper: Aircraft carrier infected with coronavirus to remove 2,700 members

Editor's note: This story has been updated to show that more sailors have tested positive again after recovered.

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13 sailors on USS Theodore Roosevelt test positive for coronavirus again

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