NO CONFIRMED COVID-19 CASES AT POST
Child, fitness centers undergo cleaning
OKLAHOMA CITY — One week ago, seven Soldiers at Fort Sill were in self-quarantine.
By 6 p.m. Friday that number had multiplied to 226 Soldiers, family members and civilians who work on the Army post, according to Jessica Tackaberry, media relations specialist in the Fort Sill Public Affairs Office.
Nevertheless, “There are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Fort Sill,” Ms. Tackaberry hastened to add. Fort Sill’s primary focus “is on the health, welfare and safety of our service members, families, civilians, retirees, and the entire Lawton-Fort Sill community,” she said.
As an illustration, Fort Sill has increased its Health Protection Condition to Bravo “in an abundance of caution,” Tackaberry said. Fort Sill is “working diligently” to minimize community transmission of COVID-19. “We ask for your understanding... We are continuing to monitor and take preventative measures to ensure the safety of the entire community.”
Those who are self-quarantining “need to remain in their quarters or at home to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and take the proper precautions,” post officials said. “If you are feeling sick, we ask that you stay at home and call your medical provider or the Reynolds Army Health Clinic line 580-917-8475. Strict hygiene and avoidance of areas where transmission is likely high are critical to stopping the spread of the virus, medical specialists advise. Crowded areas and frequently touched surfaces should be avoided to the greatest extent possible.
“We are reminding our personnel to adhere to the guidance outlined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Defense Health Agency to mitigate the spread of COVID-19,” the post said in a statement released Friday. Child Development Centers at Fort Sill currently remain open, Tackaberry said. “Services may be reduced to mission-essential personnel should conditions change.” Personnel deemed to be “mission essential” will be identified and notified by their leadership, she said.
Personnel in the Child Development Centers “are conducting deep cleaning to keep them open and safe in order to support our critical mission of training new Soldiers for the Army,” Ms. Tackaberry said. Fitness Centers at Fort Sill also are conducting “thorough cleanings of all equipment multiple times a day,” she said.
“It is important to know that this is a rapidly changing situation, and a need to further restrict travel or close facilities may occur.” The Public Affairs Office is providing daily updates on the status of restrictions and potential closures on both the Fort Sill website https:// sill-www.army.mil/ and on the official Fort Sill Facebook page https://www.facebook. com/officialftsill.