Navy ship sidelined by COVID-19 returns to sea with infected crew isolated

The U.S. Navy ship sidelined by a COVID-19 outbreak last month returned to sea on Monday, the Navy announced.

The USS Milwaukee will depart with all crew members, according to a statement from the U.S. 4th Fleet.

Sailors who tested positive for the virus are isolated aboard, Cmdr. Kate Meadows, a spokesperson for the fleet, told The Hill in an email.

“The Milwaukee medical team is screening every positive case and acting in accordance with [4th Fleet/ US Southern Command] guidance,” she said.

The USS Milwaukee departed from Mayport, Fla., on Dec. 14 in route to the 4th Fleet area of operations, which encompasses the Caribbean, Central America, South America and surrounding waters.

The Navy announced on Dec. 24 that the vessel was staying in port at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay after some sailors tested positive for COVID-19.

While a portion of the sailors who tested positive exhibited mild symptoms, a spokesperson for U.S. Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay told The Hill last week that none of them required hospitalization.

All of the sailors aboard were “100% immunized,” the 4th Fleet statement said. Sailors were also given the chance to receive COVID-19 booster shots, which are not mandatory.

The ship will continue to follow cleaning protocols, as well as mask wearing and social distancing.

“It is great to be heading back out to sea.” Cmdr. Brian Forster, USS Milwaukee commanding officer, said in a statement. “The crew worked together as a team to ensure we are ready to conduct the mission. My entire crew is feeling great, healthy and excited for the next portion of our deployment.”