The U.S. Navy had appropriate plans in place to counter a potential outbreak of an infectious disease, but the leadership of the aircraft carrier did not fully implement the required measures, the Defense Department's inspector general said.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The ineffective implementation of social distancing and the premature release of sailors from quarantine were the primary causes of increased COVID-19 infections onboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier last year, a Pentagon watchdog has found.
The Navy had appropriate plans in place to counter a potential outbreak of an infectious disease, but the leadership of the aircraft carrier did not fully implement the required measures, the Defense Department's inspector general said in a report released Monday.
More than 1,200 sailors of the 4,800-member crew aboard the aircraft carrier were infected with the coronavirus in spring las year. One crew member died.
Brett Crozier, the vessel's commander, wrote a letter to his superiors outlining the dire situation and pleading for help evacuating the ship.
Crozier was relieved of his command after his letter leaked to the media. The Navy leadership at that time said he was removed because he sent the letter through an unsecured email.
