COVID-19 Mitigation Strategies at US Air Force Base

Strategic Insights -

A US Air Force base in Texas, hosting 10,579 trainees, implemented strict social distancing, quarantining, and other measures to prevent a potential coronavirus hotspot. The interventions proved effective, with only five people getting sick. The base's experience can serve as a model for other settings to adopt similar strategies and mitigate the spread of the virus.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in Texas implemented quarantining, social distancing, face coverings, and rapid isolation of symptomatic individuals to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
  • Only five people out of 10,579 trainees got sick, demonstrating the effectiveness of the implemented measures.
  • The base's setup involves head-to-toe bunk arrangements, regular cleaning of shared equipment, and screenings for respiratory illness.
  • The trainees were instructed to practice social distancing by staying at least six feet from others and wearing cloth masks.
  • The base stopped accepting recruits from areas of the country with higher rates of COVID-19.
  • Contact tracing and isolation of infected individuals were conducted promptly to prevent further spread.
  • None of the infected trainees needed hospitalization, and all resumed their training after their symptoms subsided.

Sources:

  • (https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6922e2.htm?s_cid=mm6922e2_w)
  • (https://www.businessinsider.com/how-coronavirus-travel-through-air-droplets-aerosols-2020-3)
  • (https://www.businessinsider.com/social-distancing-and-masks-are-the-best-defenses-against-coronavirus-2020-6)
  • (https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet)
  • (https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/coronavirus-us-cases.html#clusters)
  • (https://www.businessinsider.com/how-us-air-force-base-avoided-becoming-a-coronavirus-hotspot-2020-6)

Statistics:

  • 10,579 trainees were at the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland during the study period.
  • Only 5 people out of 10,579 trainees got sick.
  • The base had approximately 800 new trainees arrive each week.
  • The first case of COVID-19 on the base (Patient A) was connected to three additional cases.
  • The fifth case seemed to have contracted the virus before arrival.
  • None of the infected trainees needed hospitalization.